Why the Wisest Gardeners Only Prune on These 3 Days in March
These are the very best days to pick up your pruners this month, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
If you’re planning to prune your plants this month, timing might matter more than you think. So much so, in fact, that some gardeners insist that there are just three days on which it's worth picking up your pruners. And yes, they're completely serious.
Gardening has always been full of traditions, whether they're rooted in the scientific (think checking your USDA planting zone before buying a new shrub), to the seasonal rhythms that guide when we sow, plant and prune.
Recently, though, many gardeners have been rediscovering older, more folkloric ways of working with nature. From gardening by the moon to the rise of so-called “witchy gardening”, there’s a growing interest in tuning into the natural cycles that shape our gardens.
Article continues belowEven lighter trends (like, say, discovering your birth month bird) speak to the same instinct: reconnecting with the patterns of the natural world. And sometimes, those traditions come with surprisingly practical advice.
The Best Days to Prune in March
One of the best-known examples of this traditional approach is the lunar gardening calendar published by the Old Farmer’s Almanac. According to its guidance, there are a handful of days each month that are considered especially favorable for certain tasks... including pruning.
And in March 2026, three dates stand out:
- March 27
- March 28
- March 29
Why? Well, it's less to do with pruning basics and more to do with the fact that these dates fall during a lunar phase traditionally associated with strong above-ground plant growth.
As such, gardeners who follow the lunar cycle believe pruning during this time can encourage plants to put their energy into producing new shoots, leaves and flowers. Extremely helpful stuff if you’re planning a spring garden tidy-up.
Pruning Essentials:
Where branches are more than a couple of inches in diameter, this saw has an astounding cutting action.
Cuts thick branches a couple of inches thick, and makes light work of tackling large limbs, dense shrubs, and tough woody growth.
This set of pruning shears is perfect for tough woody stems and tough branches up to 1 inch thick.
It might feel difficult to sit and wait until the end of the month to start pruning, particularly as March is one of the most important months for cutting back plants.
As temperatures begin to rise and plants come out of winter dormancy, a light prune can encourage healthy new growth for the season ahead. Removing damaged, dead or overcrowded stems (aka the Three Ds) also improves airflow and allows more light to reach the center of the plant.
If you’re unsure whether a plant should be pruned now, gardeners often follow Monty Don's simple rule: if it flowers in spring, prune after flowering. If summer’s when the flowers appear, prune in winter (or early in the year).
Generally, this tends to include:
- Roses
- Buddleja
- Hydrangea paniculata and hydrangea arborescens
- Fruit trees such as apples and pears
- Late-flowering clematis
Of course, not every plant benefits from spring pruning, no matter which day you choose in March.
As per Monty's rule again, spring-flowering shrubs such as forsythia, lilac, and flowering quince should generally be pruned after they flower, otherwise you risk cutting off the buds that will produce this year’s display.
Whatever happens, don’t worry if you miss these three dates in March. Honestly, the most important thing is simply to prune at the right time for the plant itself, using clean, sharp tools and removing dead or damaged growth.
But if you like the idea of working with the rhythms of the garden (and the moon, in all her shimmering glory), then the last few days of March could be a good moment to head outside with your pruners.
Happy snipping!
