For those who are gardeners, the phrase “deadhead” has a whole different meaning than what others may believe it to mean.
And most of us view this procedure differently, because we each have certain ideas as to what to do with a plant that’s a bit lanky or old.
Deadheading is the act of removing spent blooms to keep them blooming longer.
Reason for this is that once a plant blooms and produces seed, thus ensuring the survival of the species, then it will stop blooming and die.
For many gardeners this is a labour of love, while many gardeners can’t stand to see something cut back, resisting that urge to trim the bush.
Roses are a flower that there is a bone of contention with – some will go in and use a chainsaw to cut the bush to a more manageable size.
Others will use fine secateurs to trim off spent blooms and even use small saws to trim off the deadwood.
This of course can revitalise the plant to produce more branches and flowers as time goes by.
Some people get confused over the difference between deadheading and pruning, but they serve different purposes in the garden.
Deadheading is just the simple act of removing spent or faded flowers from the plant to encourage new blooms whilst the task of pruning is more extensive trimming to bring the bush back to shape and promote overall health.
Gardeners often deadhead smaller flowers by hand as they walk through the garden.
With roses, long thin branches should be trimmed back after flowering to a thicker main branch rather than pruned back behind the flower.
Although new branches will form they will be quite spindly and thin and the new blooms are likely to be smaller. The bush, after “cleaning”, is likely to be more robust.
Deadheading can be a great excuse for spending more time in the garden. Not only is it a relaxing pastime but it can be a great way to spend time at the end of a day.
Some plants are self cleaning and naturally drop their spent blooms, so no deadheading is needed.
If you’re getting on in years and find it difficult to fill your day, maybe a small garden area at home or if you live in a village a small section of land that you could spend some time in.
I’ve said before in this column, this is one way to stay healthy and with a little exercise increase your self esteem, it also boosts creativity thus helping your brain to stay alive and young.
Till next time.
