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and foxgloves, which carry over some fleshy foliage, must be coveredlightly, if at all, to prevent rotting of the crowns. It is desirable toleave dead tops, stalks, etc., on the plants until spring. The tops willprotect the plants to some extent over winter and there is also lessdanger to the plant from premature removal of tops in the fall beforethe latter are entirely dead. Cultivation should cease in the fall afterdanger from weed seeds maturing is past. This will discourage toolate growth, and any weeds will serve as a protective covering. It is important that mulch for perennial gardens should not beapplied too early. There is a great danger in applying a litter of strawmanure or leaves before the warm weather is fully over, and thusencouraging top growth which either rots during the winter or is frozen.Mulch should not be applied until after the first heavy frosts, andpreferably not until the ground is slightly frozen in the early winter.The tufted pansy, primrose, and Shasta daisy are very susceptible toinjury from a heavy mulch. |
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