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It's time for the perennial garden chop and drop
The method recycles nutrients and cuts cleanup work while disease-free stems and leaves break down in place, gardeners and the Royal Horticultural Society say.
- Gardeners increasingly utilize "chop and drop," a method where plant material is cut into smaller pieces and left on soil to decompose naturally. This practice recycles nutrients while eliminating the need to haul waste to compost piles.
- The practice saves time and labor while reducing evaporation and moderating soil temperature. Even Britain's Royal Horticultural Society advocates for this sustainable approach to managing perennial gardens.
- Gardeners can cut stiff stalks into 1 to 3 inch pieces using pruners or battery-powered shearing tools. Pieces should be placed between plants rather than over crowns to avoid smothering vulnerable growth.
- Not all plants suit this method; diseased Peony leaves with powdery mildew must be removed and discarded rather than dropped. Iris and certain other perennials are often easier to manage using this technique.
- Hollow stems provide essential habitat for pollinating insects to nest and survive winters. Remaining stalks also catch snow, increasing insulation power that helps perennials endure brutal cold.
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Leaning Left0Leaning Right8Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Center
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
53% Center
C 53%
R 47%
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