a silly question about seasons...

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watdoo Merrimac Valley, MA(Zone 6a) Dec 06, 2017

Hi all, thanks for taking the time to read!

I find tons of advice saying prune in "late winter", "late fall", "early spring". Trouble is I don't know what the heck that means. I'm not trying to be obsessive, it just seems very relative. So if anyone can help me conceptualize I'd be very grateful.

From northeast Massachusetts zone 6a

Thanks so much
-Porti

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tommyr2006 Poughkeepsie, NY(Zone 6a) Dec 07, 2017

It depends on the plant. Google "When to prune (insert plant here)".

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watdoo Merrimac Valley, MA(Zone 6a) Dec 07, 2017

Hmmmm. Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear enough. The websites that I am reading for many various plants lists pruning times as "late winter" etc. I do not know what "late winter" is. Following the the solstice-equinox, winter hasn't begun yet and will end before March is over but it seems that winter is much longer than that 3 month period here in New England, ecologically speaking at least. Thank you, Porti

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tommyr2006 Poughkeepsie, NY(Zone 6a) Dec 08, 2017

Late winter would be anytime very close to the end of winter. Winter starts in late December and ends in March. So Let's say February. For instance I prune roses in February. Some plants like Rhodies and azaleas get pruned right after flowering.

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watdoo Merrimac Valley, MA(Zone 6a) Jan 04, 2018

OK thank you!

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MaypopLaurel Cleveland,GA/Atlanta, GA(Zone 7b) Jan 04, 2018

Some plants will suffer freeze damage in the cold weather of fall, if cut stems are not healed over, and others need to have their sap drop during winter dormancy. Some should be pruned after flowering, whenever that is, because later pruning might remove branches with barely formed buds. So when to prune advice covers what is best for the plant going into cold months as well as producing the best flowers when growth resumes.

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Handroanthus Lynnwood, WA Jan 29, 2018

Hello there while all of the above make good points, you may want to contact your local agricultural extension office to ask questions about timing for pruning etc. I used to live in Amherst and it is always good to reach out to people that have been growing in your region for years to share some of the tricks they may have discovered along the way. Good luck

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