It’s that time of year when the temperature is getting warmer, the flowers want to bloom, and the sun wants to shine, which can only mean one thing: it’s almost spring! Now is the perfect time to get your trees, shrubs, and flowers ready for this year’s bloom and growth by figuring out the why’s, when’s, and how’s of pruning your different plants. Continue reading to learn about why pruning is important, and why now is the time to start!

Why Should I Prune?

Pruning any trees, shrubs, and flowers that have died over the fall or winter encourages new growth and regrowth in the late spring and summer. Pruning your plants also helps give them all a nice clean look, clear of all dead leaves, petals, and twigs from the previous year. By pruning young plants, you can train them to heal quickly, and to grow into an idea or desired shape. This means that, as your plant goes, it will be able to maintain and create its form quickly. The best reason to prune your plants, however, is to encourage health and rid any plants of disease; pruning the diseased part of a plant is the best and easiest way to ensure that your plant regains its health.

When Is the Best Time to Prune?

The ideal pruning time varies between different types of plants and their blooming times, and can be anywhere between late fall and early spring. It rings true with every plant that you should never prune in the summer, as it will slow the growing of the plant, unless your plant is diseased. When you notice a disease in your plant, there is no need to wait to prune, as the diseased part of the plant should be removed immediately. A little research into the dormant times of each plant will point you to the perfect time to prune. Here are the general rules to help you along:

• Prune spring-flowering shrubs after flowering, as they produce their buds the year before, and pruning in the fall or winter will mean getting rid of all of the buds.
• Prune summer-flowering shrubs in late winter or early spring, as they bloom on the current year’s growth.
• Evergreens should be pruned by cutting off dead or criss-crossing branches in the early spring.
• Damaged or diseased plants and trees should be pruned by cutting back all damaged or diseased parts of the plants as soon as you notice them. There is no need to wait for a proper pruning time.

How Should I Prune?

The first rule in pruning is that you do not need to do it every single year, but only when you see it necessary to shape your plant or help it grow if you see it slowing down. When it comes to the specifics of pruning, one important detail is to always prune at a downward angle, so as to stimulate growth at an angle and prevent disease. Secondly, for flowering plants, prune just above a node to stimulate growth; do not prune anywhere on the plant, as it will not encourage it to grow more flowers. Lastly, prune back dead branches to help with your plant’s health, and prune any branches that cross over each other to prevent them from growing together.

The Most Important Pruning Rule

Although the why’s, when’s, and how’s of pruning are essential to know to keep your plants healthy and blooming, the most important thing to do when it comes to pruning it to clean your pruning shears after use on each plant. Pruning with pre-used shears is the easiest way to spread disease between plants, as if you prune a diseased plant with a shears and immediately use it on a healthy plant, both plants will now be diseased. Clean your shears by taking them apart, and scrubbing each part with a mixture of warm water and dish soap. If you have just pruned a plant you know has a disease, you can spray, wipe, or dip the shears in alcohol to rid the shears of any bacteria or pathogens that may linger.

Pruning is the best way to ensure that your plants stay healthy, and are encouraged to bloom in the late spring and summer. Remember to only prune when your plants need a trim, or when your plant is damaged or diseased. Happy growing!