Thanks Kathleen, I do have a compost heap, but our growing season is so short and we have relatively little green material, that with the dry air it can take a long time - like years to make compost. I have recently tried using coffee grounds from Starbucks to see if I can speed up the process. We do have rodents. Yesterday I killed a gopher the size of a big Guinea Pig. We also have voles. I have never cut my Iris. Why is it done? Colleen -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Kathleen Sayce Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2012 11:22 AM To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org Subject: [pbs] Iris Colleen wrote about irises and piling leaves on them. It's not clear what kinds of iris you grow, probably tall bearded? Most iris should be cut back in fall or early winter. Then, winter mulch in dry cold climates should not be a problem, unless it gives rodents a foraging advantage. [In wet winter areas, dense mulches like hardwood leaves can create serious fungal problems for irises.] Don't forget to pull the mulch back in spring. Do think about creating a compost area for those leaves and other suitable garden debris. Kathleen Kathleen Sayce PNW Coast, WHZ 8, dryish cool summers & mild wet winters