Pruning Techniques
With early spring not that far way, it’s time to start thinking about pruning. I’m Lou Manfrednini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and correct pruning techniques will help your plants stay beautiful and strong.
Pruning works by cutting away the excess growth that will weaken your plants and keep them from growing and filling out in the way you’d like them to. Think of it like Pilates for your plants – you need to keep the core strong! Once the core of your plant is really strong, more buds will be able to shoot out and you will be able to cultivate a stronger, more resilient plant.
However, you never want to over prune, which can shock the plant and inhibit growth. Take your hand and stick out two fingers. Looking at your fingers, you never want to prune past your knuckle. You want to make sure you leave enough still there.
As with most projects, the tools can make the job much easier. The best pruning tool I’ve come across is the Fiskars line of pruning tools. They are ergonomically correct, which is easy on the hands and very durable.
Also, it’s best to do the bulk of your pruning in early spring or late fall after the leaves have started to fall.
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February 7th, 2009 at 5:22 am
I am freezing my behind off here and am really looking forward to spring.
We have a few shrubs and bushes we can practice on but first I need to ask about not over pruning.
You used the example not to go past the knuckle. by that do you mean not to cut too close the main trunk so as to not damage it?
February 8th, 2009 at 9:34 am
What type of shrub and bushes do you have? Perhaps we can help you out with how they need to be pruned.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:51 pm
In the past I tended to do my pruning in the fall, but this year I am going to try it in the early spring.
April 13th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Pruning is the key to successfully growing shrubs and bushes.
When it comes to flowering types, the techniques are somewhat different as compared to purely landscaping species.
The role of most landscape shrubs and bushes is to serve as a screen or backdrop. In the case of the former, (the essentially landscaping bushes) the aim of pruning is to maintain a compact, dense growth habit, without entirely eliminating the flower buds in the process. With heavy-duty flowering shrubs however, pruning is designed simply to increase the number and quality of the blooms.
Thank You
April 20th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Great advice. Over here in the UK it seems there isn’t as much online discussion about this sort of thing. Its starting to get slightly warmer here so people are gradually making their way into the garden!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
This is often a time consuming exercise but the rewards are great. We’re currently moving into the summer months in Wales (UK) so our local businesses are very busy with keen gardeners. I agree its important the tools are ergonomically correct as cheaper alternatives do over look this.