Question
I have some small carnations (or large dianthus) in my garden. Everything is starting to grow now. These did not increase much in volume last year and I wondered if I cut them off completely at soil level will this cause stronger growth. Or do I keep the straggly old leaves and just fertilize. How do I get them to look as nice as other people's? My garden is the only place I want to "keep up with the Joneses". I have an acre of landscaped property with 6 perennial gardens, wherever I could clear and get sun to this point. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

Answer
Hi Judy,
Thanx for your question.  I also want to say congratulations to Canada for a wonderful Olympics at Vancouver!  I have enjoyed watching.

Judy, the best thing you can do for your perennials is remove the dead growth once the frost has killed them back.  This is part of regular hygiene that keeps down disease and places for pests to overwinter.  If you haven't done so, go ahead and clear this out now.  The next thing is to feed your plants when they start coming up.  Side dress them with well-composted manure.  This is the best stuff you can do to enrich your plants and keep them healthy, robust and full blooming.  Don't cut back new growth at this time.  The key for me has always been neatness (removing debris) a little mulch to keep the weeds down and lots of rich well-composted (not wet and stinky) horse, cow, goat or sheep manure.  A little bit of chicken manure is okay but go easy on it because it is so rich it can actually burn plants if too much is applied.  Stick with the ruminant manure (cows, etc...).  I hope this helps.
Tom