The keen gardener will want to take every opportunity that the sometimes harsh British winter seldom affords to keep their gardens well maintained. They will also be fully aware that there is always something to be done and winter can be a great time for essential pruning and for creating some fresh garden compost. From bushes and young trees to mature and even out of control climbers, they all need reining in at some time or another. It almost passes without mention, of course, that pruning plays a vital role in the healthy life cycle of most plants and especially trees. Winter pruning for garden compost One of the wonderful things about the cycle of nature, especially in our gardens, is that if we get it right, nothing need ever go to waste. Whatever we take off a plant can nearly always at some stage go back into the ground as garden compost. Winter pruning lends itself well to this cycle not least because the harsh weather during this time of year, such as frost, ice and snow, and the almost continuous soaking by rain is ideal for breaking garden waste into the base nutrients that plants will need in the spring. How garden compost and pruning work together There is, of course, a great deal more to pruning than simply cutting off the parts of a tree or bush that may look unsightly or that are acting to block out the light. Virtually everyone knows that a certain amount of correct pruning will, in fact, promote further healthy growth in trees and bushes. The key, of course, is to prune younger plants and never to cut back the “leaders” while removing cross branches and those that tend to grow in towards the centre of the plant. Removing the lower branches over time along with those close to the trunk will serve to raise the crown and these thinner pieces are easy to mulch into garden compost that can be used after it has begun to rot down. See this handy guide for more information. Diseased pruning’s into garden compost If you have to remove parts of plants that you suspect may be diseased or infected, every care should be taken to ensure that they are not used as garden compost. Where possible they are best disposed of straightway or left on hard standing to dry out until they can be destroyed by fire. If you have any questions about garden compost, or wish to get ready-to-use garden compost, contact us at London Lawn Turf  now.