Fall for a Good Trim

Are you looking for the best trimming and pruning tips?

Clay Creek is ready to cut to the chase and give New Market, Owings Mills and Westminster, the best tips for pruning and trimming your yard.  

Have you ever walked by a home and thought, how did they get their yard to look so good? It probably is because they not only have maintained their yard so that the lawn is lush green, but they have trimmed and pruned their plants and trees to perfection. 

One of the fastest ways to take away from your curb appeal is to have trees and bushes growing wildly in every different direction. Of course, having overgrown branches will also block out the sunlight and rain from your yard, so be sure to keep up on all your trimming and pruning at least once a year. Depending on the plant or tree, that time can be either in the Spring or Fall. 

If you want to stimulate growth and remove any diseases that have found their way into your plants and trees, then pruning will give you the best results. Regardless of whether you prune or trim, you need to know how much of the plant you are removing, as you never want to cause extensive damage. 

The key to keeping your yard looking its best is to trim or prune at a precise time during the year so that you will be able to reap the benefits with the upcoming season.

That’s where our experienced team comes in as we have serviced numerous yards and have found the most cost-effective and efficient way to keep your yard healthy; so that’s why we want to share some great tips for trimming and pruning your yard. 

How do I know what type of pruner to use in my yard?

Have you ever walked around a garden store and thought, how could there be so many choices just to trim some bushes in the yard? Well, making the right choice will be the difference between having a healthy yard or damaging your plants and trees. 

One thing that everyone should have in a garage or shed is hand shears. They are an excellent gift for any gardener as they can cut approximately ¾” in diameter and are great when trying to keep those hedges in line. 

Also, pruning a hedge gives it a chance to get the sunlight it needs to have a healthy growing season; just be sure to clip the branch at a 45-degree angle just above the leaflet to set the direction you want the plant to grow. 

You may also want to have a few other pruning tools: a bypass pruner with a sharper blade at the top, and the lower blade is unsharpened. This tool is excellent for getting a more even cut on all those beautiful rose bushes you have in your yard. 

Now, if you have to cut a one ¾” diameter which usually is larger branches, then it’s time to get out the lopping shears. If your yard has older trees with oversized branches, you want to use a pole pruner; one of the most robust pruning tools. 

When is the best time to prune in Maryland?

Plants and trees are dormant towards the end of winter, so they won’t produce any new buds, which is the perfect time to prune. But, of course, if you are pruning flowering shrubs, it’s best to wait until you see the blooms turning brown which usually occurs in late spring. You will be amazed at the beautiful flower show you will get next year. 

What are the best trimming tips to keep your yard looking healthy?

Let’s start at the beginning, and that is picking out suitable trimmers. Once again, going to your local garden store can become overwhelming, so what really should you look for when purchasing a trimmer? 

A gas trimmer will bring outstanding results if you trim a large area like a privacy hedge or a yard filled with bushes. Now, if you have small plants or areas that are tight to get into, then using a handheld trimmer will be your best choice. But, regardless of which trimmer you are using, you always want to follow these few simple steps. 

First, always start slowly at the bottom of the shrub and move towards the top, allowing the blade to do the work for you. You only want to remove a few inches at a time as you don’t want to find yourself having areas that you hacked away and caused damage to the shrub. 

If you have smaller hedges and bushes, you may want to trim an area and then brush it back with your hand while stepping back to make sure you are evenly cutting the bushes. Keep in mind the goal is to allow the sunlight to access the bottom of the plant, giving you a healthier growing season. 

Next, you want to follow the three-year rule on any overgrown hedges, which is to remove up to one-third of the thickest part of the stem from the base of the plants every year for three years. You will love the results!

As with any time you are working in your yard, practicing safety should be your top priority, so always be aware of where children or pets may be playing. You don’t want to create any hazardous conditions by leaving sharp objects around. You also want to wear protective gear like goggles, gloves, or closed-toed shoes so none of the flying debris can bounce back and hurt you. 

Are you ready for the most cutting-edge tip of the day?

Let our dependable team bring you the best lawn maintenance services at competitive pricing. We are ready to take your home to a new level and create the perfect curb appeal. Our services include hardscaping, landscape design, drainage solutions, trimming, land grading, lighting, and premium lawn maintenance for residential and commercial businesses.