Fall Pruning: Tips and Tricks for the Changing Season

Story by Jessica Calvillo.

Fall is the perfect time for deadheading, structural pruning, and hard pruning. As our native plants prepare for winter dormancy, there are a few pruning tips and tricks for the changing season to help tidy up the garden and prepare it for healthy spring growth.

Deadheading: This is the act of removing old, spent flowers that have gone to seed. In cases where you have enough of a species, removing the seed heads before they drop will help to prevent unwanted spreading.

Structural pruning: Remove dead or dying branches, branches that rub against each other, and unwanted suckers. Always sanitize your tools between plants.

Hard pruning: Some species like California fuchsia and native sages benefit from being cut back hard in late fall. This promotes vigorous, bushy growth in spring.