The First Cut

Gardening expert Conrad McCormick takes us through what pruning should be done now to get the most from your garden this year.

The garden in late winter still looks tired from months of cold, wind and rain, but hints of spring begin to surface if you look closely enough. Buds fatten, bulb foliage slips quietly out of the soil, and the stretch in the evenings is just enough to make you think about doing something outdoors. This brief pause, before the full spring rush begins, is the perfect moment to pick up the secateurs and tackle the pruning jobs that genuinely make a difference to how the garden grows and looks in the year ahead. Some people cut back plants with confidence, whike others approach the job timidly. The good news is that late winter offers several clear, uncomplicated tasks that almost guarantee results. A few targeted cuts now can improve structure, encourage fresh growth and lift the whole garden once the season gets going.

Read more in the February issue…