The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

How do I prune carex and what time of year

I reckon they look terrible if you cut the whole plant back. There are usually very long untidy leaves (or flower stems) which pull out quite easily as do the dead leaves low down on the plant. If you want to do more I'd use secateurs as thinning scissors to reduce the thickness without disfiguring the plant. If a big area I guess the above is a bit tedious and a less subtle cut might be the only efficient way to manage. Not sure what time's best but may not matter much.

I have used a strong rake to remove old leaves. Works very well. Trimming looks awful. Better to move the plant further away if overhanging a path or making a trip hazard