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Gardening Guide & DIY

Pre-winter Perennial Pruning Pointers : Best Pruning Tools

by Paul Cannon November 25, 2022
written by Paul Cannon November 25, 2022
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Foliage and football might be two things people instantly associate with fall, but there’s more to this beloved season than brightly colored leaves and action on the gridiron.

Gardeners know that spring is an ideal time to plan and plant their favorite flowers and most flavorful fruits and vegetables. However, seasoned gardeners know that gardening is a year-round commitment. Pruning is one of the keys to keeping perennials coming back for years to come, and fall is an ideal time to take on this important task.

Pruning perennials in the fall is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, some perennials can be cut down after the first killing frost, while others can be left to benefit wildlife, including birds and insects. Understanding pruning and when to do it this fall can help gardeners lay a strong foundation for their gardens that will benefit them next spring.

Why should some perennials be pruned?

The College of Agricultural Sciences at Pennsylvania State University notes that perennials that have become diseased or infested with insects are pruned to prevent those problems from resurfacing in the spring. In addition, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, many herbaceous perennials have old foliage and dying stems after several hard frosts.

If dead foliage or dying stems aren’t pruned, disease, slugs and other pests can overwinter in the plants. Cutting these plants down to the ground after several hard frosts allows the base of the plant to remain dormant over the winter but makes the plant less hospitable to disease and insects.

Which perennials should I prune?

The first step to pruning perennials is to recognize which need to be pruned and which can be left intact for the winter. The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that bee balm and phlox are prone to powdery mildew and should be cut back once they’re gone. Hostas harbor slug eggs, so they, too, should be pruned after a hard frost. Hosta leaves that have fallen on the ground should be removed as well.

There’s no need to cut back certain perennials if they’re healthy. For example, hardy geraniums do not require pruning in the fall, and Penn State Extension notes that hardy perennials like garden mums are more likely to survive a cold winter if they’re left intact.

That’s because the tops of such plants will collect leaves and snow for insulation and moisture over the course of winter. Gardeners who are unsure about fall pruning can speak with their local gardening center for additional advice regarding which plants to cut back before winter.

When to prune perennials

Gardeners need not rush to prune perennials in the fall. Diseased or infested plants can be pruned at the first sight of disease or infestation, but gardeners can wait until several hard frosts have occurred before they prune healthy perennials. In gardening parlance, a hard frost refers to when temperatures drop below 28 F. Several hard frosts kill the uppermost growth of most perennials, making this an ideal time to prune them.

Best Pruning Tools

# Preview Product Rating
1 Fiskars Gardening Tools: Bypass Pruning Shears, Sharp Precision-ground Steel Blade, 5/8” Plant Clippers (91095935J) Fiskars Gardening Tools: Bypass Pruning Shears, Sharp Precision-ground Steel Blade, 5/8” Plant... Check Latest Price
2 3 Pack Garden Pruning Shears Stainless Steel Blades Handheld Pruners Set with Gardening Gloves 3 Pack Garden Pruning Shears Stainless Steel Blades Handheld Pruners Set with Gardening Gloves Check Latest Price
3 Fiskars 7.9-12 Foot Extendable Tree Pruning Stik Pruner (92406935K) Fiskars 7.9-12 Foot Extendable Tree Pruning Stik Pruner (92406935K) Check Latest Price
4 Corona Razor Tooth Folding Pruning Saw, 10 Inch Curved Blade, RS 7265D Corona Razor Tooth Folding Pruning Saw, 10 Inch Curved Blade, RS 7265D Check Latest Price
5 Fiskars Gardening Tools: Bypass Lopper, Sharp Precision-ground Steel Blade, 28” Tree Trimmer (391461-1003) Fiskars Gardening Tools: Bypass Lopper, Sharp Precision-ground Steel Blade, 28” Tree Trimmer... Check Latest Price
6 5 pack Garden Pruning Shears Stainless Steel Blades, Handheld Scissors Set with Gardening Gloves,Heavy Duty Garden Bypass Pruning Shears ,Tree Trimmers Secateurs, Hand Pruner 5 pack Garden Pruning Shears Stainless Steel Blades, Handheld Scissors Set with Gardening... Check Latest Price
7 Premium Bypass Pruning Shears for your Garden - Heavy-Duty, Ultra Sharp Pruners w/ Soft Cushion Grip Handle Made with Japanese Grade High Carbon Steel - Perfectly Cutting Through Anything in Your Yard Premium Bypass Pruning Shears for your Garden - Heavy-Duty, Ultra Sharp Pruners w/ Soft Cushion Grip... Check Latest Price
8 MEPEREZ Garden clippers, German pruners, ratchet pruning shears, work 3 times easier, gardening tools, for trimming rose, floral, tree, live plants, sharp garden scissors, arthritis weak hand snips MEPEREZ Garden clippers, German pruners, ratchet pruning shears, work 3 times easier, gardening... Check Latest Price
9 KOTTO 4 Pack Professional Bypass Pruning Shears, Stainless Steel Cutter Clippers, Sharp Hand Pruner Secateurs, Garden Trimmer Scissors Kit with Storage Bag and Protection Gloves KOTTO 4 Pack Professional Bypass Pruning Shears, Stainless Steel Cutter Clippers, Sharp Hand Pruner... Check Latest Price
10 WORKPRO W151010 Limb and Branch Pruner Tool Set, Heat-Treated Steel Construction with Non-Stick Teflon-Coated Blades, Comfortable Nylon Grips, On/Off Lock, (2 piece) WORKPRO W151010 Limb and Branch Pruner Tool Set, Heat-Treated Steel Construction with Non-Stick... Check Latest Price
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Paul Cannon

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