Home gardening tips - Let's talk about it for a moment folks, what does it mean actually? tips for what? over my 20 year career as a landscape designer, I've come across dozens of experts and sites that provide amazing tips and technique on caring for your garden. But!!! they all deal with four major issues (in this order):
1. Recognizing and choosing plants (a.k.a landscape design)
2. Fertilizing
3. Watering
4. Pest control
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The Rosemary in the picture belongs to my neighbor, a real gardening enthusiastic. He thought to root out that "old" looking Rosemary, throw it away, and plant a new one. "Seriously?" (I said). Now look at what he achieved when he followed my basic instructions... |
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Same thing with this lavender - this guy was a little more relaxed. He wanted to know if I can save it... Sure I can! But, like I always do when visiting clients, I let him be a part of the process. You can see what what the shrub looks like today. |
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Remember my neighbor with the Rosemary? a few months later - same story with his lemon tree... He never understood why he gets so few fruit. Why his yield is so poor? I told him to prune the tree... check it out... |
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There is loads of great advise out there, but, if you ask me, they are all missing one very important tip. As a matter of fact, this is one of THE most important home gardening tips you need. One that can make a huge difference to your garden - Prune!!!
Think of yourselves as doctors with a new patient with cardio issues, you can run all the tests in the world, but if you don't stop for a moment to see what he's eating, and how bad it is - you wont know that even with all the medication - he will probably visit you again in a few months with the same issues.
It's the same with plants, treatment must be holistic, and it must include pruning!
If I create a post with the best tips for choosing the right plant, the right soil, the best pest control, and how to water etc.. BUT I haven't mentioned that you should prune your plant every now and then, how to do it and when.... well, even with all the other good advise, you may still lose your patient (or plant). And you won't even know why...
Sadly, most people are missing out on the very significant benefits of pruning. Pruning is a skill that everyone should have, but most people are afraid of. There are many reasons why people are scared to cut, and we wont go into them now, but know this: if you think that fertilizer, enough water, quality soil and good drainage are all you need for a great looking garden... I hate to say it, but you're wrong!
After pruning |
Before pruning |
Great looking gardens have little to do with watering, fertilizing etc.. That a look at the picture taken only 4 weeks after pruning, and imagine what it would look like eight weeks later? Yep! you guessed it - as good as new.
It gets even better - I promise you that once you get into it and see the results of your pruning you'll thank me. I have no doubt that of all the gardening tips you read, pruning will yield the best results.
It's a little like riding a bike, it's scary at the beginning, but once your on the track you just want to keep pushing forward.
Planting, watering, spraying, they are all great, but you've been there done that, now it's time that you discover the amazing benefits of hand pruning. Regardless of whether you're a beginner, hobbyist, or even a pro - next time you put together a set of home gardening tips - be sure to include pruning.
Happy pruning!
May 25, 17 12:42 AM
May 19, 17 02:35 PM
Providing general guidelines on 'how to prune' any kind of plant is important, but there are plants, and there is YOUR plant. So despite there being loads of information on this site, I also provide specific and personalized support. If something wasn't clear, or you're not sure of your plant's name, simply send me a picture with your question. Use the form below and I'll get back to you. In the mean time, see what others are asking.
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