Thinning and Deadheading: Essential Garden Maintenance for Healthier Plants

Garden phlox is susceptible to mildew, especially in dense clumps. Thinning and deadheading improve both appearance and plant health. Continue reading

To reduce mildew on phlox and beebalm (Monarda didyma), improve air circulation by cutting some stems to the ground. This doesn’t harm the plant but must be done regularly—once mildew sets in, chemical control may be needed. An easy method: inspect new spring shoots and cut out the woody center of crowded clumps.

Deadheading—removing spent flowers—prolongs bloom, prevents unwanted self-seeding, and keeps gardens tidy. Most plants aim to set seed; removing flowers before seed forms forces a new bloom cycle. Sterile cultivars bloom continuously without deadheading. Choose them to reduce maintenance.

Deadheading Your Garden

Learn the proper techniques for deadheading different plant types to maximize flowering and garden neatness.