Urban Garden

It’s That Time of Year

Select the Right Tool for the Pruning Task

Deadheading, trimming, Those with a spring action small hands less than 3 1/2” various size hands and cuts the job safely. and pruning are return help reduce hand wide and 6 1/4” high. If your limbs up to 1 3/4” in diameter. Using the right size tool for part of growing fatigue as long as the opening hands measure 3 1/2 to 4” Loppers have long handles the job is good for the health and maintaining matches the size of your wide and 6 1/2 to 8” high, that give you greater leverage and beauty of your plants and a beautiful and hand. Make sure the pruner you may want to purchase a and extend your reach. This you. You will enjoy a healthier, productive garden and does not open wider than 3/4” pruner. Those with larger extra reach makes it easier to more beautiful garden and landscape. Make sure you are your hand can easily grip. hands should do fine with a 1” prune all parts of small trees, extend your time in the outfitted with the right tool Select a tool that fits in your hand-held pruner. shrubs, and roses. garden by reducing muscle for the job. Matching the tool hand, is comfortable, has an But size is just one factor to Invest in a foldable pruning pain. to the pruning task will help ergonomic grip and is easy to consider. Hand strength also razor tooth saw with a pull ensure a proper cut, reduce control. influences the diameter of the stroke cutting action and hand fatigue, and allow you to Matching your pruner to stems you will be able to cut. ergonomic handle. You’ll be Melinda Myers has work longer. your hand size is as important Just because a tool is rated for able to make cuts fast and easy written numerous books,

Since most pruning cuts in as matching it to the cutting ¾” doesn’t mean everyone and minimize hand fatigue. including Small Space the garden and landscape job. Opting for an oversized will be able to apply the Foldable saws allow you to Gardening. She hosts The are between 1/4” and 3/4”, pruner to make larger cuts needed pressure to make such tuck the blade into the handle Great Courses “How to a bypass hand pruner is a can lead to hand fatigue, a large cut. Invest in tools with for safekeeping and reduce Grow Anything” DVD must. These pruners have frustration, and improper compound levers or ratchets storage space. series and the nationallytwo sharp blades like scissors, cuts. Measure the width when you need a mechanical Saws are useful tools for syndicated Melinda’s Garden making a clean cut that closes across the palm of your hand advantage to make cutting cutting larger branches on Moment TV & radio program. quickly. This helps reduce the at the base of your fingers. easier. trees and shrubs that you can Myers is a columnist and risk of insects and disease Next, measure the height from When the job is too big safely prune. Although I am contributing editor for Birds moving in and harming your the middle of the base of your for you or the tool, select a certified arborist, I only & Blooms magazine and was plants. hand to the tip of your middle one better suited to the task. prune small trees and shrubs. commissioned by Corona Tools

Avoid hand-held pruners finger. Employ a bypass lopper like I save big tree work for my for her expertise to write this that are too heavy or open A pruner rated for ½” cuts Corona Tool’s Classic Cut colleagues that climb, have the article. Myers’ web site is www. too wide for your hand size. is a good match for those with SL with soft grips that fits equipment and training to do MelindaMyers.com.