Hello there, Rural Sprout readers, 

Despite waking up to more snow today, I’m going to be getting my pruners ready for the season. The weatherman promised me sunshine today, and I’m going to put it to good use even if it comes with 30F temps. 

We’re in that period of late winter, where spring can break upon us at a moment’s notice. 

So, it’s time to get pruning! In the past, I’ve learned the hard way that waiting until spring has sprung in earnest is too late. If you want plenty of fruit and flowers, get the job done now - in late winter.

Our resident hydrangea fanatic expert, Mickey, is going to show you how to prune hydrangeas – no matter which variety you grow. And she’s come up with a helpful mnemonic device to help you remember which ones get a hard prune now and which ones don’t.

But don’t put your hand pruners away just yet! There’s still more work to do.