Pruning is an important aspect of caring for your growing garden. No matter what kind of plants you are growing, they will need a little pruning TLC at some point during their growing period. Pruning is a great practice to get into as a novice or a professional gardener.
You will be surprised to learn that pruning your plants not only keeps them looking lovely, but also helps them to thrive in their growth! Keep reading to learn more about why pruning is important, and how you can safely prune your plants.
What is Pruning?
Pruning, in short, is getting rid of the dead or dying parts of a plant; it’s removing parts of a plant that haven’t gotten enough light, that have pests or a disease, or even parts that are aesthetically not working. Keeping up with pruning will work to protect your garden from pests and damage, while also controlling how your garden grows. Don’t overlook your senior plants – pruning is for plants of all ages!
Why is Pruning Important?
Pruning is so important for the health of your growing plants. When you snip off the dead, dying or unneeded parts of your plants, you are giving them the chance to redirect their energy in a more efficient way. Trimming off dead leaves or stalks makes room for new growth, encourages a healthy balance between a plant and its root system, and helps to avoid overcrowding.
To learn more about why pruning is significant for maintaining a healthy garden, take a look at this article by Gardener’s Path – The Basics of Pruning.
How to Prune
Before you start pruning your garden, take some time to research how your plant grows. If your plants are growing back from last year’s season, note what type of pruning and care they need to grow back strong. A great rule to follow is to prune at the beginning of your plant’s growing season.
Further, in order to prune in a way that benefits your plant, also be careful to use sharp and sanitized tools. For smaller jobs, such as your container herb or veggie garden, you can use sharpened garden scissors.
Take a look at these simple steps to pruning your plants from The Spruce:
- Step 1: Observe where your plant needs some love, or where your plant is looking overcrowded
- Step 2: Find the right tools for the job
- Step 3: Clip, snip or pinch off dead leaves and stems. If a stem has rotted all the way to the roots, be sure to gently pull that stem from the soil.
Do my Herb & Veggie Gardens Need to be Pruned?
If you are growing herbs and vegetables in your container garden, they require the same pruning care as any other plant! The key is not to do too much; observe your garden, and when you see a necessity for more growing space, or some dead leaves popping up, take your chance to get rid of them. Being too proactive in your pruning can cause you to get carried away and chop off too much of your plant.
When it comes to herb and veggie gardens, pruning also means reaping the benefits of your harvest sooner than you would have initially imagined. When you grow gardens full of plants like arugula or cilantro, you can even start to eat the less mature parts of the plant as you cut them away.
Take Care of Your Garden
Your garden will thank you for keeping it spry and thriving. You’ll also be happier to see a garden full of beautiful greenery, without all of the noise of crumbling and decaying matter. If you don’t have a garden to take care of yet, that is okay! You can jump right into the growing season with one of our tailored Container Garden Kits today.
