Prime Pruning Time

Do not commit crapemurder!

    February is prime time for pruning time in Mississippi.  This spell of warm weather has ever gardener outside working in their yards.  Pruning shears are in a flurry of activity.

   But gardeners need to stop and slow done for a moment.  Why are they pruning and do they really need to be doing it?  Not every plant needs to be pruned every year!  Stop and look at the plant before you make any cuts.  Plan your cuts carefully.

   A properly pruned shrub is like a good haircut; hardly noticeable at first glance. Pruning cuts should be selective and hidden inside the plant where they will be covered by remaining leaves.

   The first step in pruning a shrub is to remove all dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Remove branches that cross or touch each other and those that are growing in the wrong direction.  This might be all that is needed.

   One of the main reasons people have to prune every year is that they planted the wrong plant for the space and it has over-gown the area.  In this situation all the branches are headed back or entire limbs are thinned out.

   In extreme situations the entire plant might need to be rejuvenated. In this case the plant is cut back to with 4 - 24 inches of the ground and encouraged to regrow.   As the plant grows back, some of the branches will need to be removed inorder to have a well-shaped plant.

   Another reason for pruning is to create a special-shaped plant or a topiary design.  We do not see lots of ornately-shaped plants in Mississippi, but they can be created if an ambitious gardener chooses to do so.

  The take-home lesson is to prune only if you need to or have to do it.  Otherwise relax and take time to enjoy this warm spell.