December 21st is the official starting date. Winter Solstice but getting prep can start as early as you want to.

Beginning of a month here. Summer is out by Memorial day--I go patriotic stays until August first. August is the ACTUAL back to school month even though September is the "traditional", so put away the red/wht/blue and get out my fall apples. I am anxious for fall decor and change by August. After that I begin in October with monthly changes. The one exception being Lent. I have some lenten things that will trump whatever month it is. A pet peve is the annuals are all still great...and will be through September, most likely. Mums are in the stores NOW and if I purchased them they will be done and gone by October/Nov when I WANT them to replace my outside plants.

If the grasses are hardy for your zone, it makes no difference to cut them while the soil is frozen or to wait until it thaws. It is the activity of the grass and when it starts to grow that will determine the timing. And cutting back or not cutting back has no impact on whether the grass will increase in size (spread). Grasses growing wild have no one to cut them back and they will develop properly. Cutting back just improves the appearance in the garden and reduces self seeding on those so inclined. The Calamagrostis (Karl Foerster, Avalanche) are cool season grasses and will start growing soon so cutting back now before they are in active growth is advised. The flame grass is a warm season grass and won't start growing until temperatures warm up in mid to late spring so you can wait longer for those if you like.

Frances, Too early is when the ground is still solidly frozen. You'll break your back and shovel both then. The second time, is when It is too early in the AM, as before sunrise, when the street lights are still on. In the dark you will need someone to hold your lantern or flashlight, and any early rising or shift working neighbors who might see you, could call the cops. All kidding aside, this is the ideal time to move roses, when they are dormant. Get your new location hole dug first. Then dig your rose, getting as much soil ball as you can. Do it carefully, and your rose in its new home will wake up like nothing happened, not skipping a beat. Treat it like any freshly planted rose bush. Backfill with light, fluffy soil and water in generously. You cannot fail. Moses