We will be carefully observing your landscapes and evaluating the timing of our pruning work that usually happens during summer. If a large amount of wilting is seen, we may choose to not prune this year if you lack in-ground irrigation. The spike waterer will be in use as we work, helping plants adjust to this reduction in foliage and framework. We’ll encourage you to continue with this watering practice. Should the drought persist, we may delay pruning work on a case-by-case basis for those without in-ground irrigation.
That being said, summer is the ideal time to prune spring-blooming shrubs and small trees, along with boxwoods, hollies, yews, lilacs, leucothoes and rhododendrons. They are all putting on lots of new growth that needs editing, as usual! We like to prune during dry weather, as this avoids the spread of fungal diseases.

Why do we prune? It’s always a good idea to promote better air circulation by removing weak inner growth, deadwood, and crossing branches. This helps prevent disease and insect pest infestations.
We are experts at rejuvenating and renovating seemingly impossible overgrown shrubs. You can trust us to do the right thing, even though at first it may look shockingly different! Remember, professional pruning stimulates the right kind of growth.
PBOG will be bringing out our chipper to large pruning sites to efficiently deal with brush disposal. Woodchips are a wonderful natural mulch for woody plants if combined with compost to buffer the release of Nitrogen. Or they can be used for pathways to the compost bin, woodland garden or other types of walkways. Otherwise, we will remove the chips for eventual reuse elsewhere.
Please contact Rick <rick@pumpkinbrookorganicgardening.com> or Kim <kimberly@pumpkinbrookorganicgardening.com> to book your summer pruning work in the coming weeks. You may soon be hearing from them!