Pruning

It's that time of the year when the spring season "do list" is in full swing. One of the tasks that needs to be taken care of is the pruning of shrubs and trees. I truly don't mind the pruning. The pruning task becomes therapy for the soul. While you are pruning you can relate back to some great memories of your childhood. Or a funny success story from your gardening history.

I have a pruning book. The author of the book talks about or rather speaks of his gardening experiences. It is a delightful book to read. I would recommend the book to any fine gardener.
It's a gardener's journal of pruning paradise. The book is called Odd Lots. The author is Thomas C. Cooper. It's a good read.

There you have your work ahead of you. But stop! Don't get overwhelmed. Begin a section of your garden at a time for pruning needs. I begin trimming my rose the end part of February. beacuse every good gardener knows that roses need to be cut down by march 15.
Next, I trim the varigated ornarmental grasses. These grasses can be so invasive. But chop them down now. By summer you will have a nice flow of grasses blowing in the summer wind.
These old grasses tend to become leggy and unattractive to the eye. Now I look around at the front of my garden bed. It looks like the Russian sage needs some attention as well. Give it a good trimming. You will be rewarded with a beautiful bush with purple tiny flowers come July. Watch for the beauty and fragrance to enjoy. This plant is a decidous plant. Nothing can hurt it. So, cut and trim away. I'm kind of nocturnal. So, I don't mind taking care of the trimming on the cool evening hours with the moon by my side. Capture your favorite tools and trim to your hearts content.

Periodly, evergreens some attention for some trimming too. They become old and overgrown. But, get your sharpened tool and give them a quick trim. What have you got to loose.
They will all grow back in due time. Have a great time with your pruning chores.

See you next week with a gardening tip.....

Marsha