Gardeners must follow 'three Ds' rule for a beautiful blossoming garden

You would be forgiven for thinking that as the leaves fall and plants die back in your green space, there aren't that many jobs to do in the Autumn. However, this actually couldn't be further from the truth - because this time of year is totally crucial for ensure the health of your over winter, and preparing it for success once the spring comes.

From doing some lawn maintenance, planting spring bulbs, to giving your soil some TLC, there is a lot to be getting on with at this time of year, but make sure you carve out enough time to do some essential pruning before the winter. When it comes to pruning, different plants have different requirements, and some need to be pruned at other times of year, but there are many that need this maintenance now, including deciduous trees.

Gardening expert, Jamie Shipley - the managing director of Hedges Direct - explains that when approach pruning your deciduous trees there is a simple approach you should follow, which the expert calls the 'Three Ds', as reported in the . Deciduous trees are those that lose their foliage at this time of year, and include oak, birch, and maple trees. If you have room for one in your outside space they can act as a fantastic centrepiece to your garden, but they need some regular maintenance at this time of year.

"When pruning deciduous trees, begin by looking for the three D's: dead, damaged or diseased branches," the expert explains, "Using a pair of sharp loppers, cut off any material that is showing signs of the three D's and any branches which are crossing over to limit damage to the wood when they rub against each other. Aim for a clean cut and look out for where a branch meets the trunk, leaving a collar of about three to five centimetres."

This is the best time of year to prune back these types of trees, because the is still relatively mild, so you will avoid any winter damage from frosts, and keep your tree at a manageable size. "An added benefit is you also don't run the risk of disrupting nesting birds," the expert explained, adding: "When it comes to pruning deciduous shrubs, your aim should be to maintain their size and shape to stop them from overtaking your gardening or stealing light and nutrients from your other plants. They will only need a light trim in October to remove the fresh and unruly growth which appeared in late summer."

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