Gardeners are being urged to prune roses, shrubs and fruit trees this October to ensure they bloom again next spring. Fiona Jenkins, gardening expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, said pruning removes dead, diseased and damaged branches and stems to encourage fresh and healthy growth, while also keeping plants tidy and improving the garden's overall appearance.
Roses need an autumn prune
Roses, particularly climbing varieties, should be pruned now to shape them and remove any dead wood or diseased sections. Jenkins advised using clean and sharp pruning shears, cutting stems back to around six to 12 inches from the ground and removing any dead or diseased wood.
Roses require pruning in autumn or early spring. Pruning during winter means they are unlikely to flower the following spring.
Shrubs and fruit trees benefit from October pruning
October is also an ideal time to prune deciduous shrubs that have finished flowering. When tackling shrubs, gardeners should remove dead sections while shaping them by cutting away unwanted branches. Jenkins warned against pruning shrubs too heavily, as this could weaken the plant. This task could alternatively be undertaken in spring.
Trimming fruit trees is beneficial for enhancing both their shape and overall yield. When cutting back, gardeners should remove all dead or diseased wood. Jenkins explained that thinning out branches helps improve circulation and sun penetration. Fruit trees should be pruned during late winter or early spring, and gardeners should avoid pruning them too heavily as this could weaken the plant and reduce its yield.
Other October garden tasks
October is also an excellent month for other garden upkeep tasks, such as raking up leaves, giving the lawn a final mow before winter sets in and planting bulbs that will flower in spring.
