Is it 'cause i is 41?

[Chillum]

Suddenly, and for no apparent, explicable reason, I've "got" gardening, maybe it's an age thing, but I've realised how deeply satisfying it can be. Anyway, having spent the last 41 years with absolutely no interest whatsoever, I have some pretty basic questions. These may last all summer. -  If I'm dead-heading a plant, do I just whip the head off, or snip the whole flower stalk?    My wife took home 2 Marguerites, they're well flowery, but a tad on the straggly side, should I cut them into a more regular shape, or just let them be free to straggle away?

[woofgang]

depends on the plant. Something like a rose, you cut back to the next bud on the stem. slanting the cut so the bud is on the high side. Things like pansies, you can just clip over with scissors, or nip the heads off with your fingernails. Lavenders get the clip all over treatment but don't cut into the brown wood as they don't like it. Some marguerites are just straggly, some will stand to be clipped. if yoyu keep clipping, you will keep removing potential flowerbuds so I would tidy them up once the flowers are mostly over then leave alone again. Welcome to the club!!

[oxeyedaisy]

if you wish to dead head do so..but dont get clipping away at lavender till the autumn when its finished flowering.i wouldnt be over keen on chopping away till the season is over..as you want something to look at..i hate cutting back or dividing plants it allways seems a shame..i only grow herbs and wild flowers so i dont have much work to do till the autumn..you will have to decide what style of garden you like and what you want to achieve..some people like the cottage effect where you get drifts of flowers others like formal gardens where everything is in order and neat...their is a free gardening course on line at the bbc site and it gives you ideas of what to plant and where..its quite good i did it in the winter to pass the time and you get a certificate when you finish off allan tichmarsh..its worth a look .. 

[Robinia]

The others have answered your question so I'll just welcome you to the gardening world too!  I didn't get into it in a big way until I was 36 & that was just necessity to begin with.  Don't worry about asking about the basics - there'll be someone on here with an aching back to help out!!

[Chillum]

Thanks to all,.. I'm aching all over.

[Robinia]

Just a tip Chillum, don't be tempted into buying all the glossy gardening magazines, unless there's a decent freebie, then it's allowed!  For about the same price as a mag I've found some really good books in charity shops...trouble is you can spend far too long reading them...... 

[Chillum]

It's a new category I'll have to add to my bathroom library. Expensive magazines need fear not.