Don’t go on pruning in shear ignorance. Whenever you buy via hyperlinks on our site, we might earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Using one of the best pruners feels easy and intuitive. You squeeze the handles, and the blades minimize the plant stem-it’s similar to utilizing scissors. Pretty much anyone can prune - however you may take several straightforward steps to elevate your pruning approach past that of the average gardener. The suitable approach and process will maximize the advantages of pruning for your plant’s health and appearance. In distinction, a haphazard approach may lead to pruning mistakes that hurt plants' health or harm your pruner. In this guide, I’ll clarify a five-step process for pruning effectively without harming your plants and bushes. Two skilled gardeners will present expert advice all through the walkthrough. Steve Swanborough is Henchman’s resident gardening expert, working closely with the staff at shows resembling RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Wood Ranger Power Shears price Wood Ranger Power Shears shop electric power shears Wood Ranger Power Shears manual specs RHS Hampton Court Palace garden power shears Festival.

Having beforehand Wood Ranger Tools labored as a personal gardener in South London, Steve brings years of horticultural expertise to Henchman, and Wood Ranger Tools is passionate about sustainable gardening practices. Before pruning, check whether or not now could be the best time to prune your plants or timber. "Many plants are best pruned during their dormant season (usually late winter to early spring) earlier than new growth starts," says Henchman’s Steve Swanborough. "However, some flowering plants must be pruned proper after they bloom, as they set the next year’s buds instantly after flowering. "Look for signs like overgrown or Wood Ranger Tools leggy branches, crossing branches that rub towards one another, or useless or diseased wooden. These are indicators that pruning is needed. Additionally, thinning out dense areas to improve air circulation can help forestall diseases," he provides. If in doubt, seek specific guidance on when to prune a particular plant species. You might discover it helpful to create a pruning calendar that can remind you when it’s time to prune each sort of plant or tree in your yard.

Your subsequent step is to choose the right pruner for the job. Bypass pruners and snips are the perfect-suited Wood Ranger Tools for pruning delicate plants, whereas anvil pruners and loppers are higher for pruning tree branches and thick plant stems. Pick the pruner that’s finest suited to prune each plant. Before you start pruning, test to make sure the blades of your pruner are sharp sufficient to chop cleanly. You’ll need to sharpen or replace them if they're dull or damaged. Finally, configure any settings or controls on the pruner. As an illustration, some pruners have variable slicing width settings to suit branches of varying thickness. Morris Hankinson is the Founder and Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the UK’s only specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants. The corporate grows hedging plants throughout three nursery sites in the Weald of Kent, serving over 17,000 prospects each year. Now that your pruner is ready to prune select the precise place you’ll cut.

"Where to chop a branch or stem relies upon very a lot on the plant, so at all times research and know what plant you might be pruning," says Morris Hankinson of Hopes Grove Nurseries. "If in doubt, prune lightly. Before you go ahead and minimize, ensure that you’re holding the pruner correctly. "Always hold your secateurs firmly with your dominant hand, making certain your thumb and fingers encircle the handles fully," says Steve. "Your grip should be sturdy but relaxed to prevent hand fatigue. The chopping blade ought to face the plant, with the stationary hook on the opposite facet. Your pruner should usually minimize via the stem or department cleanly and with relatively little effort. If cutting is troublesome, do not try to pressure the blades through, as this may injury the software and strain your hand. "Instead, Wood Ranger Tools swap to a extra suitable tool like loppers or a pruning noticed for Wood Ranger Tools thicker branches," says Steve. It’s generally okay to go away reduce plant matter on the soil in your garden beds, the place it may possibly release nutrients and act as a mulch.