Don’t go on pruning in shear ignorance. Whenever you purchase by way of hyperlinks on our site, we might earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Using the perfect pruners feels simple and intuitive. You squeeze the handles, and the blades lower the plant stem-it’s similar to utilizing scissors. Pretty much anyone can prune - however you'll be able to take several easy steps to elevate your pruning method past that of the typical gardener. The correct approach and process will maximize the benefits of pruning in your plant’s health and look. In distinction, a haphazard strategy could lead to pruning errors that harm plants' well being or Wood Ranger Power Shears official site injury your pruner. On this information, I’ll explain a 5-step process for pruning effectively without harming your plants and trees. Two professional gardeners will present professional advice all through the walkthrough. Steve Swanborough is Henchman’s resident gardening knowledgeable, working carefully with the group at reveals equivalent to RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

Having beforehand labored as a non-public gardener in South London, Steve brings years of horticultural experience to Henchman, and is keen about sustainable gardening practices. Before pruning, check whether or not now's the very best time to prune your plants or bushes. "Many plants are greatest pruned during their dormant season (often late winter to early spring) before new growth starts," says Henchman’s Steve Swanborough. "However, some flowering plants must be pruned right after they bloom, as they set the subsequent year’s buds immediately after flowering. "Look for indicators like overgrown or leggy branches, crossing branches that rub in opposition to each other, or lifeless or diseased Wood Ranger Power Shears official site. These are indicators that pruning is required. Additionally, thinning out dense areas to improve air circulation may also help prevent diseases," he provides. If in doubt, search specific steering on when to prune a selected plant species. You may discover it helpful to create a pruning calendar that will remind you when it’s time to prune each type of plant or tree in your yard.

Your subsequent step is to decide on the right pruner for the job. Bypass pruners and snips are the most effective-suited instruments for pruning delicate plants, while anvil pruners and loppers are better for pruning tree branches and thick plant stems. Pick the pruner that’s finest suited to prune each plant. Before you begin pruning, verify to make sure the blades of your pruner are sharp enough to cut cleanly. You’ll must sharpen or change them in the event that they're dull or broken. Finally, configure any settings or controls on the pruner. As an example, some pruners have variable slicing 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 corporate grows hedging plants across three nursery sites in the Weald of Kent, serving over 17,000 customers annually. Now that your pruner is ready to prune choose the precise place you’ll minimize.

"Where to chop a department or stem relies upon very much on the plant, so always analysis and know what plant you might be pruning," says Morris Hankinson of Hopes Grove Nurseries. "If in doubt, prune frivolously. Before you go ahead and lower, be sure that you’re holding the pruner appropriately. "Always hold your secateurs firmly together with your dominant hand, guaranteeing your thumb and fingers encircle the handles completely," says Steve. "Your grip must be strong but relaxed to prevent hand fatigue. The slicing blade ought to face the plant, with the stationary hook on the alternative facet. Your pruner should normally reduce by way of the stem or branch cleanly and with comparatively little effort. If slicing is difficult, do not try to Wood Ranger Power Shears coupon the blades via, as this can damage the software and strain your hand. "Instead, swap to a more suitable software like loppers or Wood Ranger Power Shears for sale Wood Ranger Power Shears coupon Wood Ranger Power Shears website Shears features a pruning saw for thicker branches," says Steve. It’s typically okay to leave cut plant matter on the soil in your backyard beds, where it could actually launch nutrients and act as a mulch.