By Kathy Schwartz, Murray County Master Gardener When pruning trees, cut off dead, diseased, crisscrossing branches, damaged, non-productive, structurally unsound or otherwise unwanted plant material.
At the end of the growing season, clean up all crop residues because disease agents can overwinter in debris and may infect new plants the following season.
Cut back dry stems of perennials to soil level after frost to neaten the garden and remove disease spores. Leave stems with attractive seed heads for winter interest.
Information provided by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
