1st year don't take any, 2nd year.......take a couple, 3rd year pick 8 to 10 weeks.........each fall cut every thing down & mulch.......if it gets bitter cold.......you might need hay sprinkled over it to keep the roots from freezing. WE live NE PA........we had temps way below zero in our mountains........we just planted that this spring so we have to do hay after we clean it up and then cover with sprinkled hay real thick to keep it from freezing.