Work, Work, Work

The hardest work of the year is cutting down plants, shrubs after the first freeze.  To keep from getting discouraged, I chip away about an hour a day slowly working my way through the yard.  The goal is be be complete by mid-February.  Actually you should try to leave the shrubs out as long as you can stand it because they provide cover, concealment and food for the wildlife.  I just can't stand how messy it looks so I'm probably way to neat for a "real" organic gardener.  I do try to leave as many leaves as possible on the beds to as as mulch and compost.  Also, by waiting to cut back the plant you provide a bit more protection against a hard freeze.