This story was originally published in June 2023.
Some gardeners swear that playing music to their plants helps them grow better — there's even evidence that plant cells respond to certain vibrations to produce more nutrients — but other plants respond best to a ferocious onslaught rather than the sweet sounds of a symphony.
It can be a daunting task, especially when you're faced with a plant that looks perfectly healthy and thriving, armed with a sharp knife. It seems counterintuitive to harm a plant by cutting off branches, stems, or flowers.
“Regular pruning is an important part of the development of the tree and the little fruit,” says Kate Garland, a horticulturist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. “It's really beneficial for the tree and the fruit.”
When and how aggressively to prune will vary depending on the plant or tree.
Now is the time to check your tomato plants for thin, upright stems that have begun to grow either directly from the roots or from other, larger stems. These stems are called “suckers” and, if left unchecked, will use up the energy and nutrients the plant needs to produce fruit.
Suckers also take up space and block out the sunlight that developing tomatoes need to ripen.
“Now is a good time to get into the habit of removing shoots on a weekly basis,” Garland says, “so the tree can focus on fewer fruits but still produce higher quality fruit.”
Increased airflow also helps minimize plant diseases and pests.
While you're in the garden, keep an eye on your pepper plants, and once they start to really grow, start pinching off any new flowers so the plant can put its energy into the existing fruits.
Basil plants should be pruned regularly to keep them from growing too tall, thin, or with long stems.
Cut or pluck off the top leaves and stems down to the next fresh bunch of leaves, allowing the remaining leaves to grow into a bushy plant. As the stems grow, pluck them off to double your harvest and your basil will grow exponentially in no time.
It is also important to cut off the flower buds, as basil loses its flavor once it flowers.
Occasionally pruning or thinning out pumpkin leaves will help prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.
To grow other fruits requires more effort, and it's painful to watch and painful to do.
“For anyone who planted strawberries or blueberries this spring, it's important to pick off the flowers,” Garland said, “or you won't get any berries this season.”
Removing the flowers will encourage growth and fruit production, and the following year you can turn all those flowers into berries.
“It's a sacrifice,” Garland said, “but it's worth making.”
And then there's Raspberry, which can best be described as a shock and awe approach.
In late fall or early spring, use a lawnmower, sharp pruning shears or hedge clippers to cut dormant raspberry stems (called vines) down to the ground.
Be ruthless in pruning; new shoots will grow in the spring, and over time the raspberries your plant produces will get smaller and smaller if you don't cut them back.
“It really gives the plants a boost,” Garland said. “It's hard, but it really helps.”
