On Saturday, we rounded out the Gardenerd Organic Gardening Series with the final class on Pruning, Tools and Tool Care. We talked tools. A lot of tools. We talked about hand tools, larger tools, watering tools, and pruning tools, all with their special purposes. Seven fellow gardenerds discussed everything from pruning a geranium to sanding rust and dirt off an old set of hand pruners.
We took a walk out into the herb garden and talked about how to prune back specific herbs like tarragon, oregano, rosemary, lavender, and chives. We also covered how to prune citrus trees and rose bushes. Dead heading flowers and giving irises a “hair cut” was also a topic of conversation.
I think the most important part of learning how to prune is to be able to stop, take a step back and look at your work as you go. Just as an artist or sculptor would do, gardeners have to prune in stages. Whether or not you have the resolve to strip your rose of all it’s leaves in January, stepping back for an objective view will help steel you for your next cut.
At the end of the class, we had our exciting raffle for one of many Gardenerd prizes. Even though Ramon was eagerly rubbing his hands together in hopes of winning, the prize went to Ann, who took home a snazzy Gardenerd Tote Bag. Congratulations Ann!
I’ve really enjoyed this class series, and by popular demand, will be running the series again in May. You can weigh in on your preferred time for the class if you are in the Los Angeles area by visiting www.gardenerd.com.
