It's time to prune plants, roses and fruit trees as they enter dormancy. The temperature drop and less sunlight mean many garden plants will now drop leaves, stems will die back, and you may think some perennials have disappeared! In fact, they will be storing energy under the soil so they can burst back into bloom the following year when the weather warms up again. It’s a great time to tidy up in the garden, so here are some gardening tips to help you during the colder months.
Now it's time to prune perennials
You will notice many perennials will have already died back. Make sure you remove any dead foliage, or it could go mushy in the soil, encouraging pests and diseases. Remove stems and any remaining foliage for the compost heap. Most perennials can be pruned back to the ground and mulched for the winter period. You might want to leave some with stunning seed heads for structure and interest over the next few months, and many will also provide food and homes for insects and other garden wildlife.
Time to prune roses
The abundance of gorgeous blooms will be well and truly finished by late Autumn, with perhaps a few petals desperately holding on. Depending on the type of rose you are growing, now is generally the time to prune off any dead, diseased or damaged material including any remaining flower heads. Prune back any suckers from your roses to the ground to keep your roses tidy.
Now is the time to prune some fruit trees
Most deciduous trees should be pruned when dormant in late Autumn and no later than early March. There are various methods dependant on the type of fruit tree. Make sure you have some sharp tools such as secateurs and loppers. For larger branches, a pruning saw will be needed. Remove any stems and branches that are crossing over or rubbing on each other as this can contribute to damage and disease. Prune out any dead or diseased materials and your trees will then be given some shape and good airflow.
Pruning plants in late Autumn allows them to use all of their energy in storing nutrients so they can regrow and thrive in the years following. It’s an essential gardening task, so wrap up warm, grab a mug of tea and enjoy late Autumn in the garden.
Lakeside stock an extensive range of garden tools perfect for these winter jobs!
