April is National Gardening Month, making it the perfect time to get outside and prepare your garden for the growing season. One of the first tasks gardeners tackle is pruning—cutting back plants to remove dead or damaged growth and encourage healthy new blooms. With the right approach, spring pruning can help plants thrive all season long.
Pruning Tips:
- Prune plants that flower on the same year’s growth (e.g., lavender, fuchsias, buddleia) before they start growing.
- Early bloomers like lilacs, forsythia, and rhododendrons should be pruned immediately after they flower.
- Once-blooming roses should be pruned after flowering; repeat bloomers can be shaped in early spring.
- Wait until after new growth appears to prune hedges and evergreens.
- Young fruit trees should be pruned when buds form to shape growth and maximize fruit production.
- Perennial herbs like rosemary, oregano, and sage benefit from a spring trim to prevent woody growth.
- Use sharp, clean pruning tools for precise cuts and prevent disease.
- Always cut at a downward angle just above a node to promote healthy regrowth.
- After pruning, apply a layer of mulch or compost to nourish plants.
A little time spent pruning in spring can make a big difference in your garden’s health and beauty. By following proper techniques and timing, you’ll encourage strong, vibrant growth and an abundance of flowers, fruit, and foliage. With your garden prepped and ready, you can look forward to a colorful and flourishing season ahead!
Gardening tips provided by Down to Earth Living garden center, nursery, outdoor and patio furniture store, and Christmas tree shop serving Bergen County NJ, and Rockland County, Orange County and Westchester County in NY.
