What is the proper method of cutting back ornamental grasses for the winter?
Most gardeners wait until after the grasses have bloomed so that they can enjoy the ornamental plumes. The seedheads are also attractive in winter, so you may want to wait until spring to trim them. Then, cut the dead grasses back to about 6 inches; the new growth will quickly cover the old stubs. Some gardeners use a hedge trimmer, as this is much faster than using a hand clipper. Composting Leaves Question: I would like to make a 4x4x4 fenced-in area and compost fall leaves. If I fill the bin in early November, will the leaves decay by the middle of May, when I can rototill them into the soil? Answer: Composting essentially stops when the weather turns cold, and plain fallen leaves alone can take a year or more to decompose. To speed up the process, shred the leaves with your lawn mower, then till them into the soil this fall. By spring they should be decayed enough for planting.
