Many people prune shrubs and trees too early trying to revive their landscape.
UF recommendations state: Severe pruning should be delayed until new growth appears to ensure that live wood is not removed. Dead, unsightly leaves may be removed as soon as they turn brown after a freeze if a high level of maintenance is desired. Cold injury may appear as a lack of spring bud break on a portion or all of the plant, or as an overall weak appearance. Branch tips may be damaged while older wood is free of injury. Cold injured wood can be identified by examining the cambium layer (food conducting tissue) under the bark for black or brown coloration. Prune these branches behind the point of discoloration.
As an avid gardener, it is hard to resist the tempation to cut off those brown branches. Some garden tasks that can be done this month; adjust irrigation based on rainfall, deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms and monitor the garden for insects and disease.
For more information on How to Repair the Cold Damage in Your Landscape attend the class with that title on April 17th from 10am - 12pm at the Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto. To register please call 941-722-4524 or register online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/class_registration/class-registration-form.shtml
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