A CUT ABOVE

Cyclone aluminium bypass pruner, $37.98, I/N: 0012610

SHARPEN THE SECATEURS! IT’S TIME TO HEAD INTO THE GARDEN TO GIVE IT AN AUTUMN TRIM

Words TAMMY HUYNH

The secret to strong, healthy and productive plants is in the pruning –and a good trim can work wonders. Timing is important, though, especially if you live in a colder region, as you might have to delay pruning certain plants until frosts are finished. Take a moment to learn which plants are happy to have a haircut at this time of year, and which aren’t.

Better shape up

“Autumn is a good time to prune summer-flowering plants,” says horticulturist Chloe Thomson of Bean There Dug That (@beantheredugthat). “Remove spent flowers and cut to shape growth.” Use this time to also cut back hedges, tidy up shrubs and open up the canopy of some fruiting trees and plants.

Not all plants benefit from an autumn chop, says horticulturist and landscape designer Lyndall Keating of Garden Society (gardensociety. com.au). “Certain plants require certain seasons for pruning,” she says. “Never prune when flower or fruit buds are forming, unless it’s to save the plant from a pest or disease attack.”

But there’s some growth you should remove, regardless of season. “Prune dying or diseased branches, suckers and water shoots,” says Lyndall. Suckers appear around the base of grafted plants like citrus or stone fruit. Water shoots are vigorous, upright growths on the trunk or branches. “These often occur on eucalypts and olive trees,” explains Lyndall. Also remove any branches growing in the wrong direction.

“Pruning helps to stimulate growth in the plant and thicken the foliage”

Lyndall Keating, horticulturist and landscape designer

Keep in mind...

n When pruning, always wear protective gear such as gloves and long sleeves as the leaves and sap of some plants can be a skin irritant and/or cause allergic reactions. n Store sharp pruning tools in protective covers and carry them with the points facing down. n When using a hedge trimmer, wear gloves and eye protection and always stand on a steady, level surface.

ABOVE Makita 600mm 18V cordless brushless hedge trimmer, $351/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 0098678

What to tackle now

Hedges “Trimming a hedge now will encourage new growth to harden up before winter,” says Lyndall Keating. Don’t cut it back drastically – just a light trim to tidy and shape. Shrubs and perennials Remove spent blooms from summer-flowering perennials like agapanthus, hebe, lavender and roses. Avoid hardpruning roses, as this will encourage shoots which can be damaged by winter frosts, but do tackle hydrangeas, cutting back only stems that have flowered to a set of plump buds. Tip-prune grevillea, westringia and callistemon to keep them bushy. Fruiting trees and canes It’s common to wait until winter to prune deciduous fruit trees like apple, pear and stone fruit. But with established trees, you can prune in autumn once fruiting has finished. This reduces vigorous vegetative growth and allows plants to focus on flowering and fruiting in spring. “Always remove dead and diseased wood and any overlapping branches,” says Lyndall. “This encourages air flow, which helps reduce pests and diseases and increases the chances of pollination.” Follow up by removing young, excess growth on the main branches but leave the spurs with flower buds.

Prune back summer-fruiting raspberries and hybrid blackberries once harvest is done. Cut canes that bore fruit this year down to ground level, but leave the new canes as they will fruit in the new season. Autumn raspberries can be cut back to ground level after fruiting has finished.

SHOP

n“Always use clean, sharp tools,” says Chloe Thomson.

Otherwise you risk leaving wounds that can be entry points for fungi or disease. nUse the right tool for the job. Secateurs are great for branches less than 2cm diameter. For thicker growth, use loppers or a pruning saw. nPrune just above a bud on the outside of a stem, to encourage new growth away from the plant’s centre. Angle the cut at 45° to prevent rot and fungal issues. n Sterilise tools between cuts.

“Wipe the blades with a diluted bleach solution or rubbing alcohol so you don’t spread any diseases,” says Chloe. nDispose of clippings in compost or green waste, but bin diseased material.

Scan the QR code

Learn how to keep trees strong, healthy and looking tidy:

bunnings.com.au/how-to-prune-trees

Watch it!

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1 Fiskars soft grip bypass pruner, $19/medium, I/N: 3350296. 2 Dremel 679 sharpening attachment kit, $34.81, I/N: 6280048. 3 Ozito PXC 18V pruning saw, $105/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 3381217. 4 Mechanix Wear ‘Rigger’ leather glove, $34.90/medium, I/N: 0270099. 5 Bahco 190mm foldable pruning saw, $39, I/N: 0242926. 6 Ryobi ‘One+’ 18V bypass pruning secateurs, $139/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 0276470. 7 Protector ‘Ultralite’ wraparound safety glasses in Clear, $4.50, I/N: 5814707. 8 Saxon 540mm wavy tensioner hedge shear, $11, I/N: 0238958. 9 Mechanix Wear ‘FastFit’ gauntlet glove, $23.90/medium, I/N: 0270064. 10 Saxon 600mm bypass lopper, $8, I/N: 0238956. 11 Trojan 2.4m telescopic tree pruner, $78, I/N: 0242118. 12 Cyclone 21" bow saw, $15, I/N: 3361181. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Blades of glory

A lush lawn completes a home. Yates has the solution for top turf

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CARE FACTOR

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Scan the QR code for a free lawn care guide, or visit yates.com.au/lawn