Pruning in October is an important part of keeping your garden healthy, but it’s easy to make mistakes that could affect next year’s growth. I know because I’ve made them myself—and learned the hard way!
A few years back, I was so eager to tidy up my garden for fall that I ended up causing more damage than good. My roses didn’t bloom the next spring, and I couldn’t figure out why. It wasn’t until I started really diving into pruning tips that I realized my well-meaning attempts had gone all wrong.
So, let me share what I’ve learned so you can avoid these common October pruning mistakes.
Mistake 1: Pruning Too Early
This is one of the mistakes I made. I remember being excited to get everything neat and ready for winter—so I started cutting back plants in early October.
What I didn’t realize was that many of my plants weren’t fully dormant yet.
Pruning too early can stimulate new growth, which will be killed by the first frost. This can really weaken the plant going into the harsh winter months.
Wait until late October, or even early November, when you’re sure the plants have settled into dormancy. Trust me, patience here really pays off.
Mistake 2: Cutting Back the Wrong Plants
Some plants look like they could use a trim, but it’s actually the worst thing you could do for them. I learned this after pruning my lilacs one fall, only to realize I’d cut off next year’s blooms.
Lilacs, azaleas, and rhododendrons are a few examples of spring bloomers that set their buds in the fall. If you prune them now, you’re essentially chopping off the flowers that were meant to blossom in spring.
Instead, focus on summer bloomers like butterfly bush, clematis, and certain types of roses. These plants can handle a fall trim without risking their future flowers.
Take care to know which plants you’re dealing with so you don’t accidentally sabotage next season’s blooms.
Mistake 3: Pruning Too Much at Once
This one is tricky because it’s easy to get carried away when you start pruning. The first time I pruned a hydrangea, I went wild. I thought, “The more I cut, the better it’ll look next year!” But that’s not how it works
Over-pruning can stress a plant, reducing its ability to store energy for winter. Without those reserves, it can struggle to survive the cold.
A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than one-third of a plant at a time. This allows the plant to recover and retain enough energy for the next growing season. Less is more when it comes to pruning.
Mistake 4: Using Dull or Dirty Tools
I’ll admit, I used to grab whatever clippers I had lying around in the shed and get to work. Big mistake! Dull tools tear at the branches rather than making clean cuts, and dirty tools can spread disease from plant to plant.
I learned this after pruning some of my roses with rusty shears. The cuts didn’t heal well, and a few plants developed infections.
Now, I make sure my tools are sharp and clean before every pruning session.
I wipe down my shears with rubbing alcohol between plants and sharpen the blades regularly. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes a huge difference in the health of your garden.
Mistake 5: Forgetting to Protect Pruned Plants
One fall, I cut back my perennials but didn’t think much about what came next. By mid-winter, I noticed some plants looking worse for wear—exposed to harsh wind and frost. It turns out, I should have protected them after pruning.
After you prune, mulch around the base of your plants to insulate their roots. Some plants, like roses, benefit from extra protection.
You can wrap them in burlap or use garden fabric to shield them from frost. This small step can be the difference between plants that survive winter and those that don’t.
Conclusion
Pruning is an essential fall task, but getting it wrong can be costly. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I hope my experience helps you avoid them!
Remember: wait until your plants are fully dormant, know which plants to prune and which to leave alone, don’t over-prune, use clean tools, and always protect your pruned plants before winter sets in.
These simple practices can keep your garden healthy and ready to burst with life when spring arrives. So grab those shears—but with care—and happy pruning!