Monty Don issues urgent warning to gardeners as time running out for task

Garden expert Monty Don has warned that time is running out for gardeners to do a 'vital' task as they should be out in the garden this month doing some essential work

September heralds a seasonal shift in the garden, bringing new tasks and changes, comments renowned gardening guru Monty Don. As days shorten, with dawn breaking later and dusk setting in sooner, we bid adieu to summer's end.

Monty notes a last burst of roses offering a gentle reminderthe importance of timely pruning for those seeking a "healthy display" next year is critical. Sharing his green-fingered expertise on his blog, Monty advises: "I know that some gardeners are anxious about pruning roses but the many shrub varieties such as the gallicas, 'english' roses, albas or Hybrid Perpetuals are best simply trimmed with shears any time this month."

He insists that there's no need for precision regarding the position or angle of the cuts, suggesting: "Do not worry about the position or angle of the cuts but clip away all long, straggly shoots as though you were trimming a hedge, leaving a compact, slightly domed bush that is about two thirds of its former size."

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Additionally, he mentions that "a simple shear in September is enough to keep it healthy and packed with flower next year."

Previously, the 68-year-old stressed the significance of tackling this task now, before the onset of poorer weather conditions, reports the Mirror.

His key message remains clear: "Prune climbing roses. Climbing roses flower on shoots grown the same spring so they can be pruned hard now."

To ensure your roses truly thrive, Monty highlights the necessity of pruning. This process involves clearing out dead and dying wood, opening the door for fresh growth, ideally during the dormant season.

Monty Don shared his top tips for pruning in a previous post, advising: "Always use really sharp tools for pruning," and explaining the benefits: "Not only does it make life much easier but it also makes for much cleaner cuts and therefore causes less damage to the plant, sharp tools are also much safer."

He further advised on tool selection: "Always use a tool that is operating within its capacity, so never strain. Use loppers for stems too thick for easy cutting with secateurs and a sharp saw for anything that strains loppers."

The gardening expert then outlined the initial steps for pruning climbing roses: "Start by removing any damaged or crossing growth or any very old wood which can be pruned right back to the ground. The main stems should be fanned out at an equidistance as horizontally as possible, tying them to wires or a trellis."

He continued with guidance on dealing with side shoots: "Then all the side shoots growing from these main stems - which produced this year's flowers - can be reduced to a short stub of a couple of leaves."

Monty also highlighted the importance of the cutting technique: "The effect should be a tracery of largely horizontal growth with pruned side-shoots running along their length."