Cutting back dead perennials after winter?

[Sercee]

Hi everyone!

This is my second season gardening, so only my first winter 'cleanup'! I have a lot of perennials in my garden that I left over winter. I don't know if I was supposed to cut them back before the snow, but someone told me once not to.

Anyway, the thaw is coming and there are brown, dry stems and leaves everywhere. Should I clean it all up and cut it all back? Should I leave it to heal on its own? I don't know!

I live in Edmonton, Alberta - Zone 3 I believe.

Thanks for you help!
Sercee

[Newt]

You can start your clean up as the weather warms. If you are going to get any hard freezes you might want to only cut back your perennials half way for now so they don't get freeze damage to the roots. You can start to uncover the crowns of plants that have started to sprout and any that had silver leaves like lambs ears. Most silver leaved plants don't like wet leaves around the crown of the plant.

There's a great book you would enjoy and find helpful called 'The Well Tended Perennial Garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques' by Tracy DiSabato-Aust.

Here's a site that shows first and last expected frosts for Canada. Just click on your Provence.
https://www.victoryseeds.com/frost/canada.html

Newt

[Sercee]

Thank you so much! That's very helpful!
Sercee

[Newt]

You are so welcome!

Newt