Don’t go on pruning in shear ignorance. Whenever you buy through links on our site, we might earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Using the perfect pruners feels easy and intuitive. You squeeze the handles, and the blades lower the plant stem-it’s similar to utilizing scissors. Pretty much anybody can prune - but you possibly can take several simple steps to elevate your pruning method past that of the common gardener. The correct technique and process will maximize the advantages of pruning to your plant’s health and appearance. In distinction, a haphazard method may lead to pruning errors that hurt plants' health or injury your pruner. On this information, I’ll clarify a 5-step course of for pruning successfully with out harming your plants and trees. Two skilled gardeners will present skilled recommendation throughout the walkthrough. Steve Swanborough is Henchman’s resident gardening knowledgeable, working carefully with the crew at exhibits akin to RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

Having beforehand worked as a personal gardener in South London, Steve brings years of horticultural expertise to Henchman, and is captivated with sustainable gardening practices. Before pruning, verify whether now's the very best time to prune your plants or trees. "Many plants are greatest pruned during their dormant season (usually late winter to early spring) before new development starts," says Henchman’s Steve Swanborough. "However, some flowering plants needs to be pruned proper after they bloom, as they set the following year’s buds instantly after flowering. "Look for signs like overgrown or leggy branches, crossing branches that rub towards each other, or lifeless or diseased Wood Ranger brand shears. These are indicators that pruning is needed. Additionally, thinning out dense areas to improve air circulation can assist prevent diseases," he adds. If in doubt, search particular steerage on when to prune a selected plant species. You may find it helpful to create a pruning calendar that can remind you when it’s time to prune every type of plant or tree in your yard.

Your next step is to choose the fitting pruner for the job. Bypass pruners and snips are one of the best-suited instruments for pruning delicate plants, while anvil pruners and loppers are higher for pruning tree branches and thick plant stems. Pick the pruner that’s finest suited to prune each plant. Before you start pruning, test to make sure the blades of your pruner are sharp enough to chop cleanly. You’ll have to sharpen or substitute them if they're dull or broken. Finally, configure any settings or controls on the pruner. As an illustration, some pruners have variable cutting width settings to go well with branches of varying thickness. Morris Hankinson is the Founder and Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the UK’s solely specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants. The company grows hedging plants across three nursery sites in the Weald of Kent, serving over 17,000 prospects annually. Now that your pruner is able to prune select the precise place you’ll cut.

"Where to cut a branch or stem depends very much on the plant, so always research and know what plant you might be pruning," says Morris Hankinson of Hopes Grove Nurseries. "If in doubt, prune lightly. Before you go forward and cut, be certain you’re holding the pruner appropriately. "Always hold your secateurs firmly with your dominant hand, ensuring your thumb and fingers encircle the handles completely," says Steve. "Your grip should be strong yet relaxed to prevent hand fatigue. The reducing blade ought to face the plant, with the stationary hook on the alternative side. Your pruner ought to usually minimize by the stem or branch cleanly and with comparatively little effort. If slicing is difficult, do not attempt to Wood Ranger Power Shears USA the blades by way of, as this can damage the software and strain your hand. "Instead, swap to a more suitable instrument like loppers or Wood Ranger brand shears a pruning noticed for thicker branches," says Steve. It’s typically okay to go away lower plant matter on the soil in your garden beds, where it will probably launch nutrients and act as a mulch.