Hydrangeas should be pruned now in March (Image: Getty)
Pruning is an essential task for any seasoned To prune means to cut back certain parts of a plant like the branches, buds and old flowers in order to stimulate growth and improve its appearance.
But it can be hard to get right. You could prune too hard or not enough, or at the wrong time of year. Not all plants like to be pruned at the same time, and flower expert LeAnne Samuelson from Prestige Botanicals suggests March is the perfect time to cut back five plants in particular for “vibrant blooms” this summer. Pruning may not always sound like the most exciting garden job, but it’s a crucial step for encouraging healthier plants.
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The expert said roses will bloom all summer if pruned now (Image: Getty)
LeAnne said: “This time of year not only tidies up your garden, but it also promotes fresh growth, resulting in more vibrant blooms when summer rolls around. You’ll want to focus on pruning plants like wisteria, roses, hydrangeas, clematis, and fruit trees.”
When pruning these plants, LeAnne suggests cutting back last year’s growth by around two-thirds, making sure to remove any damaged, weak, or diseased branches.
It’s the best way to ensure these plants start the growing season fresh and strong.
To make pruning seem simple, the experts at Garden Centre Guides have shared five steps gardeners “need to follow” to prune plants “correctly”
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Pruning is an essential job to promote growth (Image: Getty)
The first step is to start by identifying the plants that need pruning and what their purpose is. Once that is sorted, the main and secondary (the ones that grow from the main ones) branches need to be located for the second step.
The third step on the list is to identify and remove any “dead, diseased, or damaged branches”, as well as any shoots that are crossing or growing too closely together.
Cut back the remaining branches to the desired length, making sure to cut just above a bud that faces in the direction gardeners want the new growth to occur for the fourth step.
Last but not least, the fifth step is to just repeat the process for each plant that needs to be pruned.
But pruning is just one of the things you can do to prepare your garden for summer glory.
Healthy soil is the backbone of any thriving garden, and without it, plants can struggle to flourish. LeAnne said in order to give your soil a boost, add some organic matter like manure or compost.
LeAnne said: “Start by digging over the soil to loosen it, breaking up any lumps. Then, add a 5cm layer of organic matter on top and gently incorporate it into the soil.
“Rake to remove any weeds or stones, and firm it down. Doing this now gives the soil time to develop the beneficial bacteria needed to support healthy plant growth throughout the warmer months.”
Good soil is also a must for the best growth (Image: Getty)
March also presents a good opportunity to plan your succession planting, which is the process of sowing crops or flowers at different times to create a continuous bloom or harvest.
This approach ensures your garden stays vibrant all summer long, with a steady supply of produce or flowers that never go out of season.
If you’re looking to get a jump on your summer blooms, now’s also a fantastic time to start growing flowers indoors.
Many summer-blooming varieties need a head start indoors before they can thrive outside, so starting them off now will give them time to establish.
If you’re lucky enough to have a summerhouse or heated space, now’s the time to sow your seeds, so you’re ahead of the game when the outdoor temperature rises.
LeAnne added: “Starting early means your flowers and vegetables will be ready to plant outdoors as soon as the weather warms up rather than waiting to sow them when the temperatures are already up.”