Gardening expert Marianne Binetti says that pruning does not have to be put off until spring. In fact, pruning should also be done in the winter.
Three reasons for pruning in winter
- The leaves are gone from trees and shrubs.
- It's a great time to control things that are getting too big.
- It's a good reason to get outside and enjoy your winter garden.
When pruning, remember the three "D's"--damaged, diseased, and dead. These are the things to look for when removing branches:
- Dead wood is usually lighter in color than living wood. Follow a dead branch to a joint, or "node" where it intersects with living wood and take it right out.
- Diseased wood is normally marked by discoloration. If you don't like the look of a branch, just follow it to a joint and take it off. This will stimulate new growth.
- Damaged wood is the most obvious to detect. Shards of wood and obvious signs of destruction, such as from a windstorm or lightning, call for removal. Salvage as much of the limb as possible and cut at a joint.
- A pole pruner is a simple solution to working out-of-reach branches. With feet planted firmly on the ground, find the branch that needs to be removed and run the pruner up to it. Pull the string at the end of the pole to snap the branch off. Watch for falling debris.
- For low-lying shrubs and bushes, a string trimmer is far more efficient than traditional hedge clippers.
- Standard kitchen shears work great on that ivy topiary. If it is confusing where to trim, just think of giving a child a haircut and tidy up anything that gets in the way.
Resources Easy Answers for Great Gardens: 500 Tips, Techniques, and Outlandish Ideas
by Marianne Binetti
Sasquatch Books, 2000
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Shortcuts for Accenting Your Garden: Over 500 Easy and Inexpensive Tips
by Marianne Binetti
Storey Books, 1993
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Tips for Carefree Landscapes: Over 500 Sure-Fire Ways to Beautify Your Yard and Garden
by Marianne Binetti
Storey Books, 1990
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests Marianne Binetti
Gardening Expert / Author
PO Box 872
Enumclaw, WA 98022
Phone: 360-825-6186
E-mail:
Info@BinettiGarden.com
Website:
www.binettigarden.com
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