October is a perfect time for California gardeners to grab their pruners and give certain plants a much-needed haircut. As our gardens transition from summer to fall, strategic pruning helps prepare plants for winter dormancy while encouraging stronger growth next spring.
Taking time now to trim back overgrown branches, remove dead foliage, and shape your garden favorites will reward you with healthier, more productive plants when warmer weather returns.
1. Roses Need Reshaping
Fall is ideal for light rose pruning in California gardens. Remove any dead or diseased canes and trim back overly tall growth that might whip around in winter winds.
Don’t go overboard—save heavy pruning for January or February. Just a light cleanup now prevents damage during storm season and reduces hiding places for pests.
Focus on hybrid teas and floribundas, cutting stems at 45-degree angles above outward-facing buds for better air circulation.
2. Fruit Trees That Need Attention
Many California fruit trees benefit from strategic October pruning. Apples, pears, and persimmons respond well to having crossing branches removed and water sprouts trimmed away before winter arrives.
Look for branches that rub against each other, creating wounds where disease can enter. Careful cuts now mean less stress on trees during rainy season.
Remember to sterilize your tools between cuts with rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading any potential diseases from branch to branch.
3. Lavender’s October Makeover
Got woody, sprawling lavender plants? October provides the perfect opportunity to reshape these Mediterranean natives before California’s wet season begins. Trim them back by about one-third, avoiding cuts into the woody base.
A gentle autumn pruning prevents that splayed-open look that happens when winter rains weigh down unpruned plants. I’ve found my Grosso lavender blooms more profusely after fall trimming.
Use sharp, clean shears and maintain the natural mounded shape while removing spent flower stalks.
4. Hydrangeas: What To Cut, What To Keep
Contrary to common practice, October is perfect for selective hydrangea maintenance in California gardens. Remove only the clearly dead stems and spent blooms, leaving the sturdy stems that will produce next year’s flowers.
The old gardener’s trick of knocking on stems helps identify which to keep—hollow sounds mean remove it, while solid means keep it. My oakleaf varieties always perform better with this approach.
Wait until late winter for major reshaping, focusing now just on cleanup that prevents fungal issues during our damp winters.
5. Perennial Herbs That Benefit From Trimming
Sage, thyme, and oregano grow leggy and woody without regular maintenance. October pruning keeps these Mediterranean herbs compact and productive through California’s mild winters.
For woody herbs like rosemary, limit cuts to the green growth, avoiding the older woody stems which won’t regrow. Last year, my neglected rosemary became a sprawling mess until October pruning restored its shape.
Cut back about one-third of the plant’s height, which stimulates fresh growth before cooler temperatures slow everything down.
6. California Native Sages
White sage and Cleveland sage benefit tremendously from October pruning in their native California landscape. Cutting back by about one-third now prevents that sprawling, open-centered look while encouraging denser growth patterns.
Sharp, clean pruners make all the difference when shaping these aromatic natives. Since implementing fall pruning, my white sage has doubled its bloom count each spring.
Leave enough foliage to sustain the plant through winter, focusing on removing leggy stems and spent flower stalks that can become brittle during winter rains.
7. Bougainvillea’s Pre-Winter Cleanup
These vibrant climbers need strategic October trimming in California gardens to prevent winter damage. Remove long, wayward shoots and thin out dense areas to reduce wind resistance during stormy weather.
Unlike severe pruning, which is best saved for spring, this maintenance cut helps bougainvilleas weather winter while preserving the framework for next year’s blooms. After years of trial and error, I’ve found that light fall pruning produces the most spectacular spring show.
Focus on shaping rather than reducing size, and wear thick gloves—those thorns mean business!
8. Berry Bushes Ready For Reset
California gardeners should tackle raspberry and blackberry pruning in October. Remove all canes that produced fruit this year—they won’t fruit again and only steal energy from new growth.
The old canes are easy to identify by their gray-brown color and peeling bark, while next year’s producers look fresh and green. My backyard berry patch yields doubled after I started this annual maintenance routine.
Thin remaining canes to about six inches apart, keeping the strongest ones and cutting the rest to ground level for better air circulation.
9. Tomato Plants’ Final Farewell
Even in California’s extended growing season, October signals the time to say goodbye to tomato plants. Rather than letting them limp along until frost, a strategic cutback helps ripen final fruits.
Trim away all new flowers and small fruits that won’t mature before temperatures drop. This redirects the plant’s energy to ripening existing tomatoes. After experimenting with this technique, I harvested ripe tomatoes well into November last year.
Remove any diseased foliage completely, disposing of it in the trash rather than compost to prevent spreading problems to next year’s crop.
10. Grapes Need October Attention
California’s grape vines benefit from strategic October pruning after harvest. Remove any diseased or damaged canes now, while saving major pruning for winter dormancy.
Clear away foliage around grape clusters that didn’t ripen properly to prevent mold development during damp weather. Since implementing this practice, fungal issues in my backyard vineyard have virtually disappeared.
This is also the perfect time to identify and mark the strongest canes you’ll want to keep during winter pruning, making that bigger job much easier.
11. Fuchsias For Spring Success
Hardy fuchsias thrive in coastal California gardens with proper October maintenance. A light pruning now removes leggy growth while preserving the main structure for winter protection.
Cut back stems by about one-third, focusing on shaping rather than severe reduction. The plants respond with bushier growth and more abundant blooming next season.
My hanging fuchsia baskets produce dramatically more flowers when I give them this fall haircut. Just be sure to leave enough foliage to sustain the plant through winter months.
12. Ornamental Grasses’ Seasonal Trim
California gardeners face a dilemma with ornamental grasses in October. While some experts suggest leaving them for winter interest, selective pruning benefits many varieties, especially those prone to flopping.
Remove only brown, damaged blades while leaving the decorative seedheads intact. This middle-ground approach prevents winter damage while preserving the architectural beauty these plants provide.
For larger grasses like Miscanthus, simply binding them with twine creates a neat appearance that protects the crown from excessive moisture during California’s rainy season.