Don’t go on pruning in shear ignorance. If you purchase by way of hyperlinks on our site, we may earn an affiliate fee. Here’s how it works. Using the most effective pruners feels easy and intuitive. You squeeze the handles, and the blades cut the plant stem-it’s identical to using scissors. Just about anyone can prune - however you may take a number of straightforward steps to elevate your pruning approach past that of the common gardener. The appropriate approach and process will maximize the advantages of pruning on your plant’s well being and appearance. In distinction, a haphazard approach could result in pruning errors that hurt plants' well being or injury your pruner. In this guide, I’ll explain a five-step course of for pruning effectively with out harming your plants and bushes. Two professional gardeners will present knowledgeable advice throughout the walkthrough. Steve Swanborough is Henchman’s resident gardening skilled, Wood Ranger official working intently with the crew at shows comparable to RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

Having beforehand labored as a personal gardener in South London, Steve brings years of horticultural expertise to Henchman, and is captivated with sustainable gardening practices. Before pruning, test whether or not now could be the most effective time to prune your plants or trees. "Many plants are greatest pruned throughout their dormant season (usually late winter to early spring) before new development starts," says Henchman’s Steve Swanborough. "However, some flowering plants should be pruned proper after they bloom, as they set the next year’s buds immediately after flowering. "Look for indicators like overgrown or leggy branches, Wood Ranger official crossing branches that rub towards one another, or useless or diseased wooden. These are indicators that pruning is required. Additionally, thinning out dense areas to enhance air circulation may help stop diseases," he adds. If in doubt, seek particular steerage on when to prune a specific plant species. You may find it helpful to create a pruning calendar that will remind you when it’s time to prune each kind of plant or tree in your yard.

Your next step is to decide on the correct pruner for the job. Bypass pruners and snips are the perfect-suited instruments for pruning delicate plants, whereas anvil pruners and loppers are higher for pruning tree branches and thick plant stems. Pick the pruner that’s best suited to prune every plant. Before you start pruning, test to ensure the blades of your pruner are sharp enough to chop cleanly. You’ll need to sharpen or change them in the event that they're dull or damaged. Finally, configure any settings or controls on the pruner. For instance, some pruners have variable reducing width settings to go well with branches of various thickness. Morris Hankinson is the Founder and Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the UK’s only specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants.