Summer pruning is one of the best ways to keep your garden healthy, beautiful, and manageable through Victoria’s hottest months. For many older adults and NDIS participants, pruning provides a gentle way to stay active while caring for nature — improving both mental and physical wellbeing.
At My Garden Therapy, we understand that pruning can be physically challenging, so we focus on safe, accessible methods that maintain your garden’s beauty without strain.
1. Why Summer Pruning Matters
Pruning in summer helps direct plant energy, manage size, and improve airflow — reducing disease risk. It’s particularly useful for fruit trees, roses, and shrubs that have finished flowering or produced fruit.
2. How to Prune Safely
- Use lightweight tools with ergonomic handles to prevent strain.
- Disinfect tools before and after pruning to stop disease spread.
- Trim in the early morning or late evening to avoid heat stress.
- Cut above a node (the joint where leaves meet stems) to encourage healthy regrowth.
3. What to Prune
- Roses: Lightly trim after their first summer bloom to encourage new flowers.
- Fruit trees: Remove dead or crowded branches for better airflow.
- Hedges: Keep trimmed to maintain shape and accessibility along paths.
4. Accessibility Matters
Raised garden beds and adaptive tools make summer pruning safer for people with mobility challenges. My Garden Therapy can design and maintain gardens that meet your needs — combining function, beauty, and safety.
For detailed seasonal pruning information, visit Gardening Australia’s pruning guide.