My grandson is composting my perennial gardens.
I dont have raised iris beds but plant my iris with other perennials for a natueral look.
Grandson has composted everything including iris.Is this harmfull?
Should I clean compost away from rizomes?

Yes, pull the compost away from the rhizomes for a few inches. Decaying compost can encourage soft rot. Iris roots spread and will get the benefit of the compost as it breaks down.

Thanks for the prompt reply.
I will tell GS not to put compost on the rest of the Iris areas.

Jo Ann.......Next spring I will put a couple of handfuls of alfalfa pellets around the clumps of iris. I think it does wonders.

I wanted to do that this Fall, and just never got to it. I'm glad to hear it can be done in the Spring as well. Thanks for the tip, Paul!!

It was a good thing only 1/4 th of the iris had been composted.Garden helper came and did the rest of the gardens and after a demonstration of composting around the plants ,all is well in the last 4 gardens.It rained last night.Life is good and my Lily bulbs from Hyde are here.I can plant lilies before the weather turnd bitter and planting meand numb fingers,watery eyes and runny nose.

Where can a person buy alfalfa pellets? I've looked around and haven't found them.

I don't know where you are but we still have farm supply stores here......Inter-mountain Farmers where I get them. Pellets are for rabbits. There is a larger version, cubes, which are for horses. They are larger and are slower to break down but are OK if you can't get the other. If you don't have a farm store try somewhere like Pets-R-Us or somewhere that sells Pet Supplies. Be certain to ask for pellets that are straight alfalfa....no additives.

Sometimes you can find alfalfa meal.

JD -- you might have a Tractor Supply in your area? Or a farmer's coop? Any place that sells horse feed. Alfalfa comes in both pellets and cubes for horses, and comes in 50 lb. bags. I know for certain that Tractor Supply sells both, so if you have a TS -- you can get them there.

I have gone the Alfalfa meal route instead of the pellets. I am a cheapskate and the meal was much cheaper than the pellets. I did have to go to the next county over (Lancaster PA) into Amish country and buy it from the Amish or Mennonite store. I coupled this with a visit to a friends house/garden to talk iris!

Might as well do 2 things. ☺

With all the wild rabbits in my area, I'm afraid of using alfalfa in my garden.