Plant Maintenance and Pruning

Sat 14 Feb 2009

• Gain an understanding of the principles and methods for carrying out longer-term plant maintenance operations
• Carry out a range of plant maintenance operations using the appropriate tools

Key learnings:
• Plant maintenance operations: division of border perennials, pruning & training
• Reasons for pruning plants e.g. plant health, formative techniques (including lifting, thinning & reduction), problem trees and promotion of flowers and/or fruit
• Correct ways to carry out pruning cuts using a variety of tools safely
• Training approaches and uses: e.g. ‘Standard Tree’, ‘Feathered Tree’, ‘Multi-stemmed’, ‘Pollarding’, ‘Coppicing’, ‘Pleaching’, hedges and ‘Fan-Trained’
• The importance of record keeping in respect to maintenance operations
• Methods and timing for the division of herbaceous perennials

Key Practical Activities:
• Carry out the training of young plants, including supporting and tying
• Carry out the pruning of mature plants, using secateurs and/or hand saw
• Carry out border maintenance, including the division of perennials
• Carry out the maintenance of tools and equipment, including sharpening and cleaning bypass secateurs

To book phone our box office on (01726) 811972

Feedback from our delegates so far this year..."Clear, simple, best botany overview I have ever had"; "Tour of Eden interesting - a lot to take in" ; "Friendly, receptive and enthusiastic lecturers" ; "Very interesting and illuminating day"; "Correct level of information - not too theoretical - good balance between theory and practice"; "Tutors were very good, clear and concise - not afraid to answer questions - well done"; "Very good lecturers, made it interesting, amusing as well as very informative"; "The content was strong - the tour of Eden was excellent way to understand plant adaptations"; "Really felt welcome"; "Good use of techniques - microscopes, power point and dynamic tutors that were inspiring and obviously dedicated to their topic"; "An excellent day, lots to take in and formulate"; "Great, interesting, informative and not scary. Thoroughly enjoyable day."