I would just leave them alone. As long as they're not dead, those leaves will still continue to photosynthesize and provide energy for the plant. Plus, letting the leaves die back naturally will give the plant a chance to reabsorb much needed nutrients and chlorophyll back from those leaves, to reuse again in the new growth. Much the same way that trees do with their leaves in Autumn (causing them to change color), so they can reuse them again in Spring when they put out new growth. Without having to expend any more resources than what is needed.

This is the time of year I wish we could import all you frozen-ground gardeners to come out here and help. December-March is one of the busiest times of year in coastal California. Wet leaves to rake, bushes to prune, weeds to pull, citrus fruit to pick, new plants to put in, etc. etc. etc. New growth is already appearing on the roses which were pruned back just recently, near the end of January. The freesias are a month ahead of themselves - we had an early hard rain in October that woke things up - so those flower stalks have just begun to raise their heads. It'll be another couple of weeks before they start to open, though. Freesias are my favorite spring flower - fragrant and return reliably! Last year I grew a bunch of freesias in a pot and didn't realize the colors would cross. They were supposed to be neat waves of red, white and purple. But some of the purple became streaked with white, sort of odd but pretty: Goodness knows what the freesias will look like this year, LOL. If I get anything interesting in the color mixing, I'll post a 2010 photo in a month or so.

That was an excellent list! I would add blueberries and elderberries, and --if you can keep it way away from the house - a mulberry tree is a sure draw! Most of those listed are perennials, so go over to the trade forum and see if anyone has starts (baby plants) that you could beg. Some, like rudbeckia, are very easy to grow from seed, so you also might check for seed for sunflowers, salvia, asclepia, gaillardia, aquilegia, or centaurea (which comes in both perennial and annual types). Don't forget annuals - the birds are fond of some very easy-to-grow flowers such as zinnias and marigolds. While perennials are a good draw with only one or two plants, the annuals seem to attract more birds if they are en masse, such as a 3' wide by 10' to 15' long bed with tall yellow or red zinnias, surrounded by red salvia and edged with yellow or orange marigolds. That's an eye-popper, but it does get the birds' attention :) Don't forget to put high and low birdbaths (lots of birds prefer their water at ground level) and keep the baths very, very clean - there is an anti-algae product available which works well, but the baths should still be scrubbed thoroughly at least once a week (rinse four times afterward because soap residue can make birds ill). Birdfeeders are optional, some folks do and some don't -- I like them, but I only keep the thistle-feeder going (for the goldfinches and juncos) but you might prefer the flat tray type which appeals to bluejays and cardinals. Check with the Audbon Society for more info link below to the main page, "bird basics" is on the right side. Here is a link that might be useful: audubon society

Our peas are growing pretty well I’m using a bunch of old tomato cages as climbing supports.