Pruning
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When and how should I prune?
Roses and shrubs should be pruned after flowering or fruiting in spring or summer or when the buds are dormant in autumn. Cut cleanly 1cm above a bud in a parallel direction to the bud.
What is the difference between a bypass and anvil secateurs?
Bypass (scissor action) secateurs give a clean cut and minimise stem bruising, making them ideal for precise pruning and green wood. Anvil (knife action) secateurs minimises the effort required to cut and twist stems, making them ideal for hardy woody stems and old dead wood.
How should I prune a tree or large shrub?
Pruning should be carried out to maintain the shape and manageability. Cuts should be made just above a bud or leaf. Depending on the width of the branch to be pruned you may use a pruning saw, bow saw or lopper. For tall trees you should use a telescopic tree pruner with cord operated jaws and a pruning saw.
How often should you trim a hedge?
A hedge should be cut at least once a year to keep it in shape. Regular pruning throughout the growing season will encourage dense growth and therefore a much stronger hedge. Evergreens should have the top 12" removed when they are 6" taller than the required finished height. Deciduous hedges should have the leaders cut back up to a third after planting and the sides trimmed at least once every year.
When should I dead-head my plants?
When the blooms have died and no longer look attractive. The flowering period of a plant can be considerably lengthened if the dead blooms are removed. In order to do this you should use bypass action secateurs which minimise stem bruising.
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