From the McDonald Garden Center Blog
Winter may feel like the quiet season in the garden, but it’s actually one of the most important times to shape the future of your landscape. With many shrubs dormant or slowing their growth, winter pruning allows you to see plant structure clearly, remove problems early, and encourage healthier growth come spring.
Winter is a time of rest for many plants, but for gardeners, it can be the best season to shape up the garden for the year ahead. Pruning during dormancy not only helps improve the health and appearance of your plants but also sets the stage for growth come spring. To make the most of your winter pruning sessions, follow these essential do’s and don’ts:
Crepe myrtles are cherished for their vibrant blooms and elegant structure, adding beauty to gardens and landscapes. However, as much as we adore these trees, they can sometimes produce unwanted growth called “suckers”. If you find yourself grappling with these persistent intruders, fear not! In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to effectively get rid of crepe myrtle suckers and restore the beauty of your tree.
Sharpen your pruners and get ready to groom! Keeping your plants looking fresh is an important aspect to upholding your garden’s happy and healthy appearance. It’s not only important to cut back any wayward branches, but also to groom the plants to your liking. Are you trying to shape them a certain way? Do you want to control the size of the plant? These reasons and more are great inspirations to get out in the garden to prune your landscape’s trees and shrubs.
Most people think that pruning is a job for the summer and fall seasons. While it is best to prune certain types of trees and shrubs during the warmer months, winter is the optimum pruning time for many deciduous trees and shrubs- when plants are still dormant and a few weeks before buds start swelling and sap starts flowing again. BENEFITS OF WINTER PRUNING
