All gardening enthusiasts know how crucial it is to take care of their trees and shrubs, especially during a delicate time like March. But what are the best practices to ensure lush growth and abundant fruiting? The key lies in understanding the importance of pruning , but also in knowing when and how to do it. This operation hides pitfalls and tricks that could radically change the health of your garden. Discover why March is the perfect month for this practice and what mistakes to avoid to protect your precious green corner.
The essentials in a few points
- ✂️ Pruning in March is essential for the health and production of fruit trees.
- 🌸 It’s important to differentiate between flower buds and leaf buds .
- 🍏 Trees like apple , pear , and peach require specific care.
- 🌿 Shrubs like butterfly bush benefit from pruning to stimulate growth and flowering.
- 🚫 Avoid pruning azaleas and camellias until after flowering is complete to not compromise their development.
Pruning fruit trees
March is the ideal time for pruning fruit trees , a fundamental operation that coincides with the ongoing flowering period. During this month, farmers and gardening enthusiasts dedicate themselves to this practice to ensure healthy growth and optimal fruiting. Pruning, in fact, not only helps maintain the shape of the trees but is also crucial for improving the quality and quantity of the fruits.
Distinction
It is essential to make a distinction between flower buds and leaf buds . Flower buds are those that will give rise to flowers and, therefore, fruits, while leaf buds will develop into leaves. Understanding this difference is vital to know which branches to prune to optimize fruit production without compromising the tree’s foliage.
Fruit trees to prune
Among the fruit trees to prune, we find the apple , the pear , and the peach . For these trees, it is advisable to prune unnecessary branches, thus promoting fruiting and improving the overall health of the plant. Other trees, such as blackcurrant and redcurrant , require the removal of old branches to improve light penetration and aeration, essential elements for fruit growth. Finally, the blueberry requires special attention: it is recommended to keep only 8-10 vigorous branches to maximize fruit production.
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Shrubs to prune in March
As for shrubs, March is the ideal month to prune plants like butterfly bush and hibiscus . These shrubs benefit from pruning that stimulates the growth of new branches, ensuring an abundant flowering in the following season. Additionally, remontant roses require a second pruning to encourage new growth, thus ensuring continuous and lush flowering.
Shrubs not to prune
It is equally important to know which shrubs not to prune in March. Plants like azaleas , rhododendrons , and camellias should be left alone until the end of their flowering , as premature pruning could compromise their development. Hydrangeas with large heads , on the other hand, should only be pruned at the end of April or early May. Finally, it is strongly recommended to avoid pruning hedges in spring, as it could disturb bird nests, thus protecting the biodiversity of our environment.
