Hello Robert. I usually leave it until February, and then burn it off.
Some say my asparagus roots benefit from leaving the ferns on until then,
others say I harbor pests and diseases. The burning adds needed nutriants
to the soil, kills seeds that might start unwanted plants. Of course you
have to be careful and able to control the burn.

Good luck. Dwayne


"Robert Simpson" wrote in message
...
My garden is in late-autumn-mode with lots of plants having brown stems,
and
many with seed pods at the top. Normally I would cut all this off and
feed
the compost (or the local container park, as we call it in .be). But I
have
seen (on GW?) that some people leave it alone since it prevents the garden
looking so barren over the winter. If I do this what happens next spring
when new shoots try to grow? Is there a time that I MUST cut it all down?
Grateful for advice,
Robert