Give your garden the mid-year refresh it needs. Discover smart pruning tips, expert advice, and the right tools to shape healthier, stronger plants – just in time for spring.

Understanding mid-year pruning

Pruning in July might seem unusual when many plants appear dormant, but it’s actually an ideal time to get to work. With growth slowed and leaves off most deciduous trees, you can clearly see the structure of each plant and where to make the right cuts.

Mid-year pruning isn’t guesswork – it’s a purposeful task that helps improve plant health, encourages better shape, and supports more reliable growth. It also helps prevent common winter issues like pests and disease. A little planning and careful pruning now will set your garden up for a stronger, more productive spring.

Promoting healthy structure

Good structure is key to a healthy, long-lived plant. Pruning helps shape young trees and shrubs early on and corrects problems in older ones. Plants that are too dense or badly shaped are more likely to snap in wind, become diseased, or grow unevenly.

What to remove for better shape:

• Dead or dying branches – they serve no purpose and can attract pests
• Branches growing into the centre of the plant – these block light and airflow
• Rubbing or crossing branches – they damage bark and can lead to infection
• Suckers (shoots from the base or roots) – these drain energy from the main plant
• Water sprouts (thin, upright shoots) – especially on fruit trees.

Tip: When shaping a plant, stand back regularly and look at it from different angles. Cut just above a healthy bud or side branch and angle your cut slightly to allow water to run off.

How pruning enhances yield

If you want more fruit or flowers, pruning plays a big part. Overcrowded branches block light and air, which reduces flowering and encourages fungal issues. Thinning out old or unproductive growth gives the plant space and energy to focus on new buds.

What this means in practice:

• Prune fruit trees (like apples and plums) to an open, vase-like shape – this lets sunlight reach fruit on all sides
• Deadhead roses and other flowering shrubs to keep blooms coming
• Cut back weak or twiggy shoots that won’t support strong flowers or fruit.

Tip: Don’t overdo it. Removing too much at once can shock the plant. A good rule is to never cut more than one-third of the plant’s total growth at a time.

Pruning as a proactive measure

Pruning isn’t just about growth – it’s also about prevention. Plants with poor airflow and dense growth are more likely to develop mildew, black spot, or attract pests like aphids and borers.

By removing problem areas now, you:

• Prevent disease from spreading into healthy growth
• Remove pest-prone hiding spots before infestations set in
• Spot problems early – like canker, rot or dieback – and take action quickly.

Practical tips:

• Use clean, sharp tools – blunt blades tear instead of cutting
• Wipe blades with disinfectant between plants to prevent spreading disease
• Always dispose of infected wood separately – never add it to the compost heap.

Tip: If a cut is more than 2–3 cm thick, consider using a pruning saw rather than loppers or secateurs. It gives you more control and creates a cleaner cut.

Preparing for the seasons ahead

Winter pruning helps your plants use their energy more efficiently. By clearing away what’s no longer needed, the plant can focus on strong, controlled growth in spring. This is especially important for fruit trees, flowering shrubs, and hedges.

Why now works:

• Cuts made in winter are less likely to attract pests
• Plants aren’t pushing out new growth yet, so pruning won’t interrupt development
• It’s easier to plan for shape and spacing without dense foliage in the way.

Tip: For young trees or recently planted shrubs, light pruning in winter helps build a solid structure early on. Don’t aim for perfection – the goal is to guide healthy growth, not achieve a final shape in one go.

Your mid-year pruning checklist

Not sure where to start? Here’s a practical guide to what you can prune now – and what to leave until later.

Download our FREE Pruning Guide Checklist – your must-have tool to tick off the right gear and the right plants this season.

• The right tools
• The right plants
• The perfect prep for winter gardening.

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Secateurs are the workhorse of the pruning world. Ideal for small branches, soft stems and detailed snipping, a good pair of secateurs should feel comfortable in your hand and give you a clean cut every time.

Lasher’s range includes:

• Bypass Secateurs (FG02139) – Best for live stems and clean precision cutting.
• Cut and Hold Secateurs (FG02128) – Perfect when you need to catch the stem as you cut, ideal for roses or delicate flowers.
• Professional Secateurs (FG02142) – Heavy-duty, comfortable and built for high-performance use.
• Vineyard Secateurs (FG02124) – Designed for repetitive cutting in vineyard or orchard environments.

These tools are built from durable materials to last season after season, and they’re made right here in South Africa – tried, tested and trusted in our conditions.

Mastering thicker branches with loppers

When branches are too thick for secateurs but not quite saw-worthy, loppers are your go-to. With long handles and powerful cutting action, they make light work of dense or woody stems.

Lasher’s range of loppers and shears give you the leverage and strength needed for bigger jobs without straining your hands or wrists. Use them to:

• Trim larger stems on fruit trees
• Cut back overgrown shrubs
• Shape small trees or topiary.

Shaping hedges and shrubs with shears

Want neat, even hedges and tidy shrubs? Shears give you the precision and range to sculpt and shape with confidence. They’re ideal for:

• Clipping box hedges
• Maintaining topiary
• Evening out evergreen shrubs.

Lasher’s shears are balanced and easy to handle, whether you’re trimming edges or tackling a larger section of garden.

Specialised saws

For the toughest pruning jobs – thick limbs, dense wood, or hard-to-reach angles – a proper pruning saw is essential. Unlike carpentry saws, these are designed to cut through live wood cleanly and quickly, helping avoid splintering or tearing.

Lasher’s pruning saws include:

• Double Edge Saw (FG01885) – Great for quick cutting in both directions.
• Prune Master Saw (FG01870) – Durable and efficient for regular pruning jobs.
• No.333 with Pistol Handle (FG01868) – Comfortable and ergonomic, ideal for intricate pruning.
• No.333F with Curved Blade – Offers enhanced cutting power and reach.

If you’ve ever tried sawing through a thick branch with a blunt or awkward tool, you’ll appreciate the difference a specialised pruning saw makes.

Conclusion: Embracing mid-year pruning

Mid-year pruning is more than just a tidy-up; it’s a chance to reset and reinvest in your garden’s long-term health. Whether you’re making small snips with secateurs or sawing through thicker limbs, each cut plays a part in shaping a stronger, more beautiful garden.

With the right tools from Lasher, proudly made in South Africa and trusted by gardeners across the country, you can prune with purpose, confidence and precision. So, grab your gloves, head outdoors, and start shaping the garden you want to enjoy next season.