It’s finally that time of year to give your boxwoods a fresh trim and get them back into shape. But looking out the window, the sky is gray and it’s starting to drizzle. Should you grab your shears anyway or wait it out? While a little yard work in the rain might not bother you, it’s a whole different story for your plants. Moisture is a breeding ground for nasty fungal pathogens…
Why Rain Spells Trouble
Don’t get me wrong, we usually love the rain—it saves us the hassle of watering the garden ourselves! But pruning on a rainy day is a recipe for disaster. When it’s damp, especially for a few days in a row, fungi thrive. Those fresh cuts you make act like open doors, making it incredibly easy for spores to move right in. While something like downy mildew is annoying, other infections can actually cause your boxwood to die off completely. Definitely not the look we’re going for!
Don’t Switch to Full Sun, Either!
You might think, “Okay, I’ll just wait for a bright, sunny day,” but that’s actually another trap. While you won’t have to worry about the rain, hot and dry sunny days come with their own set of problems:
- Inner leaves that were shaded are suddenly exposed to harsh light.
- The plant can suffer from sunburn.
- You’ll start seeing ugly brown patches.
- Some of the delicate new shoots might dry out and die.
Since heat already stresses the plant, a bad case of sunburn can be the tipping point. Once a boxwood loses its natural resilience, it becomes a magnet for diseases and pests. That said, if your shrub is already sick and needs a “rescue trim,” don’t wait too long to take action.
The Perfect Day for Pruning
The best window for trimming your boxwoods is between April and mid-September. For the best results, pick a day that is overcast but dry. Ideally, you want a forecast that doesn’t show rain or a massive heatwave for at least a few days after you prune. If the sun just won’t quit and your boxwood desperately needs a haircut, try pruning in the late evening when the sun is low and the air has cooled down. You can even toss some garden fleece over it for a few days to provide a little extra shade.
Pro Tip:
Give your boxwood a little TLC after its haircut! Spread some mature compost or horn meal around the base so it has the nutrients it needs for new growth. If you’re growing boxwoods in pots, a quick dose of liquid fertilizer will do the trick.
