What is pruning?
Pruning is the intentional trimming of garden plants to either encourage and prepare for new growth; shape and tame plants into a desired shape; or to prevent and remove pests and plant disease.
When to prune
A highly debatable topic which is largely dependent on species, region, and circumstance. Some light pruning can be done in the summer, the majority of pruning is best taken care of in late winter when the plants are dormant.
The right tools for the job
Three tools that every avid gardener should own are hand pruners, hedge shears and a pair of loppers.
Hand pruners are great for pruning shoots on fruit trees, keeping perennial flowers neatly trimmed and for pruning long, wayward branches out of shrubs. Also great for dead-heading old blooms, this is the perfect tool to keep things tidy.
Hedge shears are an important tool to have around even if you don't actually have any hedges in your garden. Their long, sharp blades make easy work of pruning rose bushes and are of course the ultimate tool for shaping hedges.
Loppers are used to easily trim large branches in one smooth cut. The longer handles help to extend your reach and clear harder-to-reach growth. This is the tool for just about any job that requires cutting through thicker branches.
Slow and steady
When tackling your pruning jobs around the garden try not to get carried away - step back to admire your work as you go to ensure you don't cut away too much growth, and to ensure you are achieving the correct shape and size of your plants.
