Autumn is upon us, and it’s time to start thinking about pruning your garden. Pruning is an essential task for keeping your plants healthy and looking their best. It involves removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches from trees and shrubs to promote growth and encourage the development of new shoots.
If you’re new to gardening, pruning can seem daunting, but with a few tips and tricks, you’ll be able to keep your garden in tip-top shape. In this blog, we’ll discuss some tips on how to prune your garden and the right time to prune in New Zealand.
- Know when to prune
The best time to prune your garden depends on the type of plant you’re working with. In general, deciduous plants (those that lose their leaves in winter) are pruned during the dormant season, which is from late autumn to early spring. Evergreen plants, on the other hand, can be pruned at any time of the year.
- Use the right tools
To prune your garden effectively, you’ll need the right tools. A good quality pair of pruning shears is a must-have for most plants, while larger trees and shrubs may require a pruning saw or loppers. Make sure your tools are sharp and clean to avoid damaging the plant.
- Identify what needs to be pruned
Before you start pruning, take a close look at your plants and identify what needs to be pruned. Look for dead or diseased branches, crossing branches, and any branches that are growing too close together. Removing these branches will help improve the plant’s overall health and appearance.
- Cut at the right angle
When pruning, make sure you cut at the right angle. For small branches, make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle just above the bud. For larger branches, make a cut underneath the branch first, then make a second cut from the top, a few inches away from the first cut. This will prevent the bark from tearing and damaging the tree.
- Don’t over-prune
While pruning is essential for the health of your plants, over-pruning can be detrimental. Only remove what needs to be removed and avoid cutting back more than a third of the plant’s branches in a single year. Over-pruning can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to disease and pests.
- Wear the right protective gear
Wearing gloves while pruning your garden helps protect your hands from cuts, scrapes, and blisters that can occur from handling sharp tools and rough plant surfaces. Pruning gloves can also provide an extra layer of protection from harmful plant oils, such as poison ivy and poison oak, that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
In conclusion, pruning is an important task for any gardener. By following these tips, you’ll be able to keep your garden healthy and looking its best. Remember to prune at the right time, use the right tools, identify what needs to be pruned, cut at the right angle, and avoid over-pruning. Happy gardening!