Winter pruning and maintenance: gear up for a garden glow up

Winter might seem like the garden’s downtime, but it’s actually the perfect season to roll up your sleeves and get a head start on tree pruning and shrub maintenance. Winter pruning is an essential task that ensures your plants stay healthy and flourish when spring arrives. To make the most of this time, it’s essential to use the right tools and techniques. Leading garden ladder expert, Henchman, has shared a guide on how to ensure your garden is in top shape when the warmer weather returns.  

Getting ready for winter pruning  

To make your winter pruning tasks easier and safer, start by making sure you’ve got the right tools. Henchman’s Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder is ideal for reaching those higher branches safely and comfortably thanks to its built-in platform. Its adjustable legs are perfect for levelling out on uneven ground, and the clawed feet provide a solid grip into soft ground so you can prune away safely and securely in the milder autumn and cold depths of winter. Whether you’re trimming tall trees or tending to shrubs, this ladder will simplify your job. With sizes ranging from 5 ft to 12 ft, no task will be out of reach!   

In addition to a reliable ladder, you will also need high-quality pruning shears. The ARS hedge shears feature sharp, high-carbon steel blades and lightweight, curved handles, providing precise and efficient cutting. These shears facilitate clean cuts with minimal effort, improving manoeuvrability and enabling you to tackle detailed pruning tasks with ease.  

Ornamental trees  

Deciduous ornamental trees benefit from pruning in the winter as they are in their dormant phase, reducing stress and allowing the tree to focus on recovery and new growth in the spring. From November to March, begin by removing smaller branches to create clean, bare stems. This helps improve the tree's shape and makes maintenance tasks easier. Additionally, remove any branches that obstruct access or interfere with mowing. Be careful to thin out the branches rather than cutting back the entire canopy, which helps maintain a natural, balanced look. Continue by addressing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches to prevent pests and diseases and support overall health.   

Evergreen shrubs  

Winter is the perfect time to prune evergreen shrubs, especially those that have outgrown their space or become too large and unproductive. This type of pruning, known as renovation pruning, helps revitalise species like box or yew. Start by removing any dead or damaged branches to boost the shrub’s health and prevent disease. Next, thin out older branches to improve light and air circulation within the shrub. This not only helps with overall vitality but also encourages new, vigorous growth. If the shrub has become too large, you can cut back the stems to maintain its size and shape. Be careful to shape it gently, ensuring a balanced and attractive form that will flourish beautifully in the coming season.  

Fruit trees  

Fruit trees require annual pruning to manage their size and maintain their health. Without regular pruning, fruit trees can become overly tall and unwieldy, complicating harvesting and care. Proper pruning encourages the growth of new, fruit-bearing branches and buds, leading to a more fruitful harvest. However, it's important to avoid common mistakes that can harm your trees. For best results, prune during the dormant season, typically late winter or early spring. Be mindful not to prune too vigorously, as removing too much can reduce fruit production, weaken the tree's structure, and cause slower recovery and delayed harvest. Over-pruning can increase the tree’s vulnerability to pests and diseases.  

Clearing up  

After pruning, dispose of the cuttings and debris responsibly. Use a heavy duty ground sheet to collect trimmings, ensuring they don’t pose a safety hazard on the ground or around the ladder, this will help to simplify clean up. For those larger loads, such as branches and clippings, use a wheelbarrow to transport the debris to your compost pile or garden waste bin. The Henchman wheelbarrow is great for this task as it can handle up to four times more material than a standard wheelbarrow. Plus, its durable, non-corrodible plastic tub ensures it withstands wet and damp conditions without rusting in the winter.  

For more expert advice and to find the perfect Henchman ladders for winter gardening jobs, visit www.henchman.co.uk    

Ends

Editors notes

Henchman has been a pioneer of specialist garden ladders and safe hedge-cutting platforms since 1994, when it launched its first model at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Founded by father and son duo Mike and Tom Kitching, over the past three decades the company has evolved from a small family business to the leading garden ladder brand in the UK.

Based in Wiltshire, the dedicated design team at Henchman offers a wide range of unique products created to keep customers safe on uneven terrain while working at height.

Its collection includes the cutting-edge Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder, Fully Adjustable PRO Tripod Ladder, the Hi-Step Platform, the Wheeled Henchman, as well as a range of large capacity wheelbarrows and accessories, all designed to make gardening a safe, sturdy and enjoyable experience.

Henchman has pioneered the way in ladder safety and is the first and only fully EN131 certified Tripod Ladder on the market in the UK and the rest of the world.

From the National Trust, to the England Rugby team and Royal Households, and not forgetting thousands of gardeners, DIY-enthusiasts and professionals, Henchman helps its customers get the job done, safely.