When it comes to maintaining your garden, pruning shears indeed help you with your plants' unruly clutter and dried-out branches. However, choosing a high-quality pruning shear is not as easy as it sounds. No need to worry! This comprehensive guide breaks down all the factors that you need to care about when it comes to picking a pair out.
Why Get A Pruning Shear?
A good pair of pruning shears come in handy when you want to maintain and trim the shrubs and bushes in your garden. Let's take a look at a bunch of reasons that make the best pruning shear worth a shot. Here we go!
Improve the lifespan of your plants
Though you know how important it is to prune your garden, some additional benefits of getting a pruning share. The tangled bushes can come in the way of plants' growth habits, and the neglected dead branches will ultimately kill your plants. But extensive pruning helps them to rejuvenate and prolong their life.
Promotes healthy fruit and veggie growth
Unkempt and loose hanging branches can come in the way of healthy fruit production. So, what is the point of having a garden which will only give you eyesores? It is a no-brainer that a well-pruned garden will ultimately ensure better growth of fruits and veggies production.
More access to sunlight and air
Just like humans need oxygen to survive, plants also need access to sunlight and air for healthy and denser growth. Pruning helps the sunlight penetrate right into the roots of plants and attain more access to air. With pruning shears, deciduous shrubs won't come in the way of photosynthesis.
Types of Pruning Shears
Pruning shears are the most commonly used item for deadheading, trimming, and cutting bushes in an attractive and orderly manner. Surprisingly, there is more than one type of pruning shear for slightly different use.
Bypass pruners
Bypass pruners are generally the most versatile and easy-to-use pruners to trim your plants. Bypass pruners work like a pair of scissors, and the two blades pass each other and cut down the material like twigs and neglected overgrown bushes. They are the perfect tool for a novice gardener and get into tight spots easily.
Anvil pruners
On the other hand, anvil pruners are heavy-duty pruning tools that are relatively difficult to use. They have one sharp blade and a blunt lower blade. To give you a clear idea, the functionality of an anvil blade is similar to a knife and cutting board. They are practically helpful for cutting thick bushes and foliage.
Ratchet pruning shears
The third distinctive type is for a gardener with poor hand mobility. The ratchet pruning shear works on the unique mechanism of release and squeeze and requires multiple actions to perform a single cut. These are the best pruning shears to use for an extended period and reduce the chance of susceptible injury while pruning.
The Most Important Features to Look For
You might still be wondering how to get your hands on the best pruning shear. Well, keep the following features in mind as they will surely aid in making the right purchase.
High-quality, sharp blades
One of the most important features to look for is a high-quality, sharp blade. Look for stainless steel sharp blades that will make a perfect cut in one precise motion. Or, you can also choose carbon steel blades coated with titanium for better corrosion resistance and durability.
Ergonomic design
Look for an anti-slip handle that will aid during prolonged use of pruning shear. An easy-to-use pruning shear will also save you from wrist strain, whereas heavy-duty pruning spears make your task 10 times more difficult. A pruning shear with an ergonomic design will give you a firm hand grip.
Safe to use
As we know that pruning blades are very sharp and made especially for thorny and thick bushes. A safety feature like a locking mechanism locks down the blade after use and can save you from any kind of accidental damage.
Easy to clean
Remember to get a pruning shear which you can clean easily after working with them. A lot of dirt and grime can affect the quality of your blades. Make sure that blades are appropriately coated and can be cleaned easily without disassembling them.
Price Range
Your budget is a crucial element while making any purchase. But we still have got your back. A standard pruning shear comes in the range of $40 to $50 and will get the job done for you. This pruning shear will work effectively on small branches and plants. Or, you can get a high-quality bypass pruner from any well-known brand in the range of $1000to $2500 to prune large trees and thick bushes. Trust me, these pruners are worth every penny and, with proper maintenance, will last for a lifetime.
People Also Ask
Q: How often should I sharpen my pruning blades?
A: As with any gardening tool, pruning blades should be sharpened every six to eight weeks. Use diamond files to sharpen your pruning shears as they are inexpensive and easy to use.
Q: Which season is best suited for pruning?
A: Dormant pruning should be done occasionally, whereas the best time to prune your trees is late winter or early spring. You can also do light to moderate pruning every 3 to 6 months to keep them well maintained. However, avoid pruning the plants during autumn when leaves are leafing out.
Q: Can you use oil for pruning shear?
A: Using oil is one of the most efficient and effective ways to prevent the pruning shears from rust and unnecessary damage. Not only that, but it also helps to lubricate the spring strength.
Q: Is hydrogen peroxide safe for pruning shears?
A: Both Lysol and hydrogen peroxide is safe for pruning shears. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a great disinfectant for tools and equipment. Place a bottle of Lysol or hydrogen peroxide with gardening tools to properly sterilize pruning shears.