Is it to early to cut things back?

Hi,

I've got a mammoth task this year in the garden as I completely neglected it last year. I want to get started as soon as possible (I'm chomping at the bit) and wondered if it is too early to start cutting perrenials back? It's things like Heleniums, geraniums etc. Also, all of last years dahlias (they might have carked it anyway but some did come back last year) and Hedychiums still have the (dead) top growth on.

I normally leave it until March but I have a (neglected 2009) allotment too and I'm just worried that March/April will arrive and I just won't have time to do everything.

I'm worried that if I cut everything back and tidy all the borders up and we have another severe cold snap things will get damaged as I'm assuming (probably wrongly) that all the dead material afford some kind of protection??

Would appreciate any thoughts/advice.

 

Funnily enough, I've just come in from cutting down some dead stems on my aruncus sylvestris and japanese anenomes. They looked so scruffy and for these particular species, I've never really believed the old stems provided any worthwhile protection.

It's also a reasonable bet that here at the southern end of the Test Valley, we won't get the really bad weather (like the heavy snow that hit the northern end of Hampshire a few weeks ago). A bit of very early pruning also helps you to take stock of your plants, rather than just peer at them from the kitchen window!

If your gardening mojo is starting to become active (like mine is), why not just tidy up some of the deadest, blackest, soggiest stuff. Otherwise I'd suggest waiting a couple of weeks more, perhaps until mid-February, before you break out the secateurs.

BTW, it's a good time to sharpen your secateurs in order to get the cleanest cut.

 

I am leaving mine for a bit. I still don't trust the weather.

 

I would!

Start with the hardiest stuff. Leave the more tender and things with fleshy stems til last.... if you don't get started when you can... it'll not get done

I hate to say it, but Dahlias and ginger lilies in Todmorden might have suffered this winter

 

Thanks for the replies

I think that's a good idea to start with the hardy stuff. I don't intend pruning or moving anything, just cutting things back to the ground so that I can see what I'm doing!

Quercus, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the Dahlias and Ginger Lilies. Thankfully (and surprisingly)most Dahlias came back after last Winter, as did H. Tara. I'm really hoping I haven't lost the Tara as it's a really well established clump now :(

I can't wait to get stuck in at the weekend now!

(P.S. Is there a "quote" function?).

 

Cut back, Fletch. If they haven't died after the weather we've had so far, they will be fine from now on. If you feel uneasy about anything, give them a good thick mulch after cutting back- but only during a spell of warmer weather, so you 'seal' the warmth in.

Perhaps it's just the thaw after those horrible weeks of frost, but I'm getting into spring mood with gardening already.

I've been out tidying up the carnage after a lazy autumn and the winter weather. Have sown Tomatoes, Chillis, and annual bedding indoors - and got a real buzz of excitment from it! I've started planning new plants for new places, shrub pruning, veg beds. It just feels like everything is creaking into action again, finally.

Anyone else feel like the gardening green light is flickering already?!

 

I do indeed Andrewh, I did most of the cutting back earlier this week, and pruned the roses.

 

Oh my gardening light is well and truly on . Not that I'll be able to do much today as it's pouring down :(.

I cleared a few bits and pieces yesterday afternoon and hmmm... let's just say I've got my work cut out for the next few months!

*goes to dream of sunny days surrounded by flowers...*

 

i agree i think we are over the worst i started cutting back this week, just glad to be out in the garden doing something. anything tender that has survived the last month is going to be okay. also im sure the birds will be glad of any insects uncovered.

good luck

 

Well I've just watched the forecast and it looks like I'm in for below freezing daytime temps next week again :(, so I might just leave it for next week and see.
There's things I can be doing in the greenhouse and I guess there's always seed catologues to flick through and a trip to the GC for a bit of inspiration.

Is this winter ever going to end? It's really getting on my nerves now.

 

I've probably jumped the gun by cutting down today but heyho it does look so much tidier in my garden and heartening to see the bulbs and primroses. The sun almost shone at lunchtime which raised my spirits too.
Went to Aldi and bought lots of seeds (only 39p a packet) so will have to get cracking with my raised beds soon so I have somewhere for them to grow.

 

I went out today and cut a few things back, cleared a few leaves off the lawn and planted a yellow grass that a friend gave to me.

Definately raring to go.

 

lol - me too Stingo - but still a tad cautious about cutting anything back that might get affected by frost. It is 'clear up' time though - tomorrow's a day of garden work here

 

Most of my perennials are hardy, but those 'borderline' plants (Verbena B, Penstemons) are well mulched and I've left foliage to protect them, although the Verbena has been cut back to about a foot from the ground.

Everything else has been cut back and there is lots of new growth already showing.