Is it ok to trim bushes in the fall? Here is the best time to prune these plants after they are overgrown.
When bushes are mentioned, what comes to mind for many is unwanted. So, why should there be perfect timing to get rid of bushes right?
Far from that! Most times, this reasoning changes when their attention is drawn to the fact that shrubs (including those used for hedges) are also called bushes.
Having said that, useful bushes will have to be tended and taken care of. In maintaining such bushes, the right time for trimming needs to be followed. Here, we’ve made specific reference to fall.
Is it okay to trim bushes in fall? We’ll find out shortly. Stick around as we discuss this and more.
How Trimming Helps Bushes
There is no dispute whatsoever about the benefits of trimming. These bushes when trimmed get to produce more flowers and fruits. This adds to their beauty and shapes as well as serving to benefit wildlife.
Pests and diseases are also kept at bay.
The Common Dispute
Why do you think the question on the article header pointed to fall? Because a lot of people feel fall is the best time of year to trim bushes. However, there’s another school of thought that disagrees with this assertion. This school of thought considers fall the worst time to get the job done.
Whether fall is the right time or not to trim bushes remains to be seen. It is entirely up to you to figure out what works best. Each perspective has reasons why it’s done in fall or why it shouldn’t be. This article should help you make the right decision.
First off, during fall, bush leaves fall off exposing the entire structure. We must state however that there are evergreen bushes or shrubs which never cast off their leaves. For bushes that cast off their leaves, you can easily trim off limbs that aren’t well-formed or those which are diseased.
Rather than have them trimmed off, you should hold back. This is due to several reasons. First, fall is the time of year when bushes are readying to go dormant or about to hibernate. Moving ahead to trim them won’t help the plants as it stimulates new growth. Such bushes get badly weakened and affected as their development cycle is interrupted.
Also, trimming bushes or hedge during fall is likely to make you trim too much than necessary. When this same bush or bushes bloom, you can see just what and where needs to be trimmed. So, fall isn’t such a great time to get this job done.
The Best Time To Trim Bushes
We have seen more reasons why trimming bushes in fall isn’t such a great idea. However, what we haven’t made mention of it when the right time is to cut back on bushes. Trimming should be done in late winter or early spring.
During this time, the bushes start to bloom and you can pick exactly what needs to be trimmed and what needs to stay.
This is most important when such shrubs are used for landscaping purposes such as for hedge among other things.
Shaping the bushes becomes much easier and accurate.
The Process
A process needs to be followed if you must get this task (trimming) right. This section briefly highlights the process to enable you to perform this task the right way. The following are some basic steps to follow;
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Inspect
Having figured out the right time of year to trim your bushes, you’ll need to inspect these shrubs to determine what needs to be taken out. What you should be interested in is finding out what shoots and limbs seem to be out of place.
You’re also on the lookout for dead & diseased limbs that need to be removed.
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Using The Right Tools For The Job
Bush trimming needs to be done with the right tools. Anything less than this will only make it more difficult to get the job done the right way. Shrubs can have thorns or sharp edges which might cause injury too. Using the right tool will help you keep a safe distance while performing the job.
First, you’ll need a gardening glove.
Other pieces of equipment include pruning shears and hedge clippers. Hedge clippers are best for thorny bushes and enable you to keep a safe distance. Pruning shears, on the other hand, are for less thorny bushes or those without thorns.
These can be bought from the nearest gardening equipment store or online on Amazon.
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Bush Type
We earlier mentioned evergreen bushes or shrubs as a type of plant you’re likely to encounter. The other type of bush is the flowering bush. The approach to trimming is quite different. For evergreen shrubs or bushes, you’re trying to trim overgrown limbs or shoots which alter the desired shape.
For this type of shrubs, you’ll need to cut off overgrown limbs to shape. This could include those for a hedge or individual shrubs used for landscaping purposes.
Flowering bushes, on the other hand, will have to be inspected for dead limbs or sections. These are trimmed off and overgrown limbs chopped to shape.
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Take A Step Back To Observe
Trimming a bush up close will require taking a step back to observe what you’ve done so far.
In other words, you’re trying to see the bigger picture. From far, you’re able to see sections of the bush that requires additional chopping or shaping. That way, you get to perform a great job.
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Only Trim When It’s Necessary
Bush trimming is essential to improving its growth and looks (shaping). While this is an important bush maintenance activity, it shouldn’t be done too often. It should only be done when its necessary as well as at the right time of year.
We’ve identified the right time of year to be between late winter and early spring. Trimming should be avoided outside of this period.
So, there you go. It isn’t okay to trim bush or shrubs in fall. Although some say it’s the right time, the reasons listed above are sufficient enough to help you make the right choice.