Q: I know that I and many other readers of the Star would really appreciate advice from you about what to plan regarding cutting back bushes this year.Β Normally, we would have been thinking no later than mid-March, but with this goofy hot weather weβre having, normal-year planning seems irrelevant. Help, o Garden Sage!
A:Β Pruning damaged or dead wood may be done anytime, but as you know, we recommend waiting for warm weather for cold-sensitive plants. Pruning for other reasons such as structure, shape and size is typically done with the idea of minimizing stress to the plants, and that is usually accomplished in the cool part of the year, so your mid-March deadline makes sense. With tougher plants, that deadline can be extended into the warmer months. Some plants, however, are pruned with blooming in mind, and timing depends on when each species produces flower buds. We have a pruning calendar you can access on the Internet that has more details (search for az1499.pdf). Regarding the unusual weather this year, it is easy to see how our unseasonably warm weather lately might give us a false sense of security and/or fear about the days and weeks ahead. Our UA climate science specialist,Β Mike Crimmins, reminds us that it is still technically winter, and the volatile weather patterns we have been seeing this year are difficult to predict. We are still hoping that El NiΓ±o will send some rain our way in March. Crimmins says that would reduce the freeze risk since the moisture helps keep overnight temps up. So with all the uncertainty, the best plan would be to stick with the mid-March plan for pruning and starting tender annuals outdoors.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
