October is a month of transition in the garden. Many plants are preparing for winter, but that does not mean everything should be pruned now. For some plants, light pruning is perfectly fine, while for others, it is better to wait.
Which plants can you prune in October?
In October, you can mainly remove dead, damaged or diseased branches. Some plants and hedges can also be lightly pruned.
For roses, for example, you can shorten very long or damaged branches slightly. However, it is better to leave heavy pruning until spring.
You can also tidy up faded perennials, but this is not always necessary. Seed heads and dry stems can provide structure in the garden during winter and offer shelter to insects.
Which plants should you avoid pruning?
Not every plant is suitable for pruning in October. In particular, spring-flowering shrubs are best left alone.
Forsythia and lilac, for example, form their flower buds for the following spring. If you prune them heavily now, you risk removing some of next year's flowers. These shrubs are therefore best pruned after flowering.
Hydrangeas also require some attention. The right time to prune depends on the species. Some hydrangeas flower on new wood, while others form their flower buds on old wood. If you are unsure which variety you have, check this before pruning.
The same applies to clematis: the right pruning time depends on the pruning group.
Not everything needs to be cut back
In autumn, it can be tempting to tidy the garden completely, but this is not always necessary. Faded perennials and ornamental grasses can provide attractive structure during winter and offer shelter to small animals.
You can therefore leave some plants standing and tidy them up in spring instead.
Think about your pruning tools
Always use clean and sharp tools. Secateurs are suitable for thin branches, while thicker branches are better handled with loppers or a pruning saw.
Clean your tools after use and store them in a dry place. This will help them last longer and reduce the risk of spreading plant diseases.
Look first, prune second
October is certainly not a month when you need to put your secateurs away completely, but it is also not the time to cut everything back without thinking.
Always look at the plant before you start and check when it flowers and whether it flowers on old or new wood. Sometimes a light maintenance prune is enough, while in other cases, waiting is simply the best option.
Good pruning is not about cutting as much as possible, but about pruning the right plant at the right time and in the right way.