I have read that one should not prune shrubs in the fall, since that
will prompt them to put out more growth heading into winter. However,
due to my extended absences this summer, my shrubs became overgrown and
look really ratty. Do I really have to just grin and bear it until
spring?

Thanks in advance for all advice,
Jo Ann

"Jo Ann" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have read that one should not prune shrubs in the fall, since that
will prompt them to put out more growth heading into winter. However,
due to my extended absences this summer, my shrubs became overgrown and
look really ratty. Do I really have to just grin and bear it until
spring?

Thanks in advance for all advice,
Jo Ann


Basically, yes.

Jo Ann wrote:
I have read that one should not prune shrubs in the fall, since that
will prompt them to put out more growth heading into winter. However,
due to my extended absences this summer, my shrubs became overgrown and
look really ratty. Do I really have to just grin and bear it until
spring?

Thanks in advance for all advice,
Jo Ann


That really depends on the type of shrub and your climate. I prune my
roses in late December or early January. I leave my citrus until the
middle of March. I pinch back my eugenia all year long. But I have
seen snow at my house only three times in the last 33 years.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

On 23 Oct 2006 06:47:37 -0700, "Jo Ann" wrote:

I have read that one should not prune shrubs in the fall, since that
will prompt them to put out more growth heading into winter. However,
due to my extended absences this summer, my shrubs became overgrown and
look really ratty. Do I really have to just grin and bear it until
spring?

Thanks in advance for all advice,
Jo Ann


Not really. But the question is what kind of shrubs? Ideally they
should be pruned soon after they bloom. In general pruning does
encourage new growth, but when the temperatures fall below 50 it won't
produce much new growth.