Essential gardening skills - Part three
Tackle pruning, dividing and layering your plants with confidence, to make new plants for free, plus discover how to identify and tackle common plant problems, with these exclusive video guides
In this third and final collection of exclusive videos, horticultural expert David Hurrion demystifies the basics of pruning. He also demonstrates two propagation techniques, dividing and layering, before discussing how to assess the health of your garden plants.
More essential skills:
Essential gardening skills - Part one
Essential gardening skills - Part two
Pruning, trimming and deadheading
A regular trim, done properly, can greatly boost the health, vigour and flowering potential of your plants. David Hurrion shares some dos and don'ts, in this essential guide.
Key topics:
- Clipping with confidence
- Basic pruning technique
- Deadheading - keep the flowers coming
Dividing plants
Herbaceous perennials can become congested over time. In this video, David shows how to give them a new lease of life by lifting and dividing.
Key topics:
- When to divide spring-flowering plants
- Preparing to lift plants
- Prising apart the root ball
- Repositioning your divisions
David refers in this video to dividing spring-flowering plants in autumn. Many other plants, though, can be divided in spring - find out more here:
Layering plants
Layering is a technique for propagating shrubby, woody plants and fruit bushes. Learn two basic methods, with David Hurrion's how-to video.
Key topics:
- Benefits of layering
- Choosing the best propagation material
- Basic layering technique
- Serpentine layering
Assessing plant health
It pays to be vigilant in the garden. In this video, David Hurrion explains how to cultivate a keen eye, so you can determine the root cause of plant problems.
Key topics:
- When is a problem not a problem?
- How gardeners can unwittingly cause harm
- A holistic view of pests
More essential skills
Essential gardening skills - Part one
Essential gardening skills - Part two
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