By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - That was such a nice idea to put flowers in a windowbox. In May or June or July or whenever you planted them. They likely looked great all summer and perhaps your petunias were perky and your geraniums never drooped through the fall. But now, if you still have last year’s annuals in pots or windowboxes outside, it ain’t pretty.

I mention it because I’ve seen this recently in front of some stores. And I think it’s wonderful when shopkeepers and restaurants take the time to plant flowers to welcome customers in the spring, summer and fall. But if you did and now you have forgotten dead flowers in front of your place, it’s sending the wrong message.

So why not take five minutes to cut them down and clean things up?

Top off the pot with a handful of mulch or moss if you have it. But even if you don’t, bare soil that’s waiting for fresh flowers to be planted come spring, will look a lot more cared-for than a mess of dried up stems and stuff.