It's A Huge Mistake To Prune In Direct Sun: Here's Why

Most gardeners know: Pruning is a necessary evil. Even the most low-maintenance gardens require an occasional trim. Not only is pruning an effective way to control your plants' size, but it can also herald in a healthy new season — it may even increase future blooms. While it's important to consider what time of year is best for pruning your specific plants, it's just as vital to think about the time of day. By leaving your freshly pruned plants to bake in the midday sun, you may be doing more damage than you think.

For many, maintenance tasks like pruning the garden are a "get it done whenever you can" scenario. When summers are warm, early morning gardening sessions can feel much cooler; in spring, it's easy to stay outside and complete chores all day. And plants can be picky about when they are pruned: Flowers that grow on new wood, like the butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), are best pruned in late winter before new growth emerges, while those that bloom on old wood, such as the azalea (Rhododendron spp.), prefer a late-spring pruning.

Regardless of the season, pruning creates a wound that needs proper time to heal. Exposing a wound at the wrong time of day can leave your plant vulnerable to sun scald, insects, and disease. Instead, decrease stress by pruning later in the day and providing plenty of water. Remember, what you do this season could have a profound effect on your plant's health next season.

Pruning your plants, whether they're perennials, trees, or even vegetables, can be essential to their health. However, it can also cause harm if done incorrectly. It's important to avoid pruning mistakes and focus on best practices, such as always using clean tools, to keep your plants happy. Pruning in dry conditions is important because wet or humid weather can increase the risk of fungal infections. However, pruning in direct sun can be just as dangerous.

Like people, plants can experience stress in high-heat environments. Even sun-loving plants can be scorched on the hottest day of the year. Heavy pruning during these times of stress may cause even more harm, scalding parts of the plant that were previously sheltered from the sun by exterior branches or stems. Heat-stressed plants may be more likely to attract insects and infections, which can devastate previously healthy plants.

Instead, prune your plants the right way by saving big cuts for the evening hours. This allows the pruned areas to rest and recover before sun damage can set in. If you do need to prune in direct sunlight, take extra care to retain as much of the original plant structure as possible so you can limit areas of new sun exposure. You can also consider covering your plant with a shade cloth until evening or protecting vulnerable areas with a temporary coating like latex paint. Be sure to provide lots of water so the roots have enough energy to help the plant recover from stress.