Pruning your plants with a good set (and the right set) of shears is extremely important.  Using shears, also called garden scissors or pruners, is far superior to using a knife and healthier for your plants than just snapping things off with your hands.

To start, there are a few different types of shears, or garden scissors, to choose from.  Some are better for certain jobs while others work great for those with weaker grips.

  • Ratchet or gear type pruners are better for those with weaker hands.  The ratcheting mechanism works a like a car jack, making it easier to cut through even harder woods.
  • Bypass pruners work like a pair of scissors.  The small head can pass through tight spaces and they also work great on herbs or picking fruits alike lemons and grapes.
  • Anvil type pruners work great on cutting small branches and are ideal for cutting dead limbs or cleaning up trees and bushes.  You'll need to keep these shears sharp as they can crush instead of cut when they dull.
  • Parrot Beak pruning shears are shaped just like the name suggests.  These garden scissors are ideal for cutting flowers.

When choosing shears, you'll want to pick ones made with durable materials, like blades made of high-carbon steel or titanium.  If you have smaller hands, don't choose shears that are large and hefty as they will cause undue strain on your hands.  There are even shears for those who are left-handed, like the Felco 9 bypass pruning shears.  No matter what, the ease of handling the garden scissors should be on your top list of points to consider.  Also chose shears with a bright color so they don't get lost in the dirt or foliage in your garden.

After purchasing and using your shears, you will also want to maintain them.  It is important to clean them after using them so they don't rust or get a dirt buildup.  Good, well-maintained tools can last a lifetime and save you money in the long run.

Now that you have learned a bit about gardening scissors, here are some great options for you to choose from.

The Pexio Premium Titanium Bypass Shears feature bright red, non-slip handles that are ergonomically designed.  The blades are made of titanium and the shears also feature a sap groove design that channels sap off the shears, keeping them from getting gummed up.

The Gardenite Power Drive Ratchet Anvil Hand Pruning Shears offer 5 times more cutting power than conventional tree clippers.  The ergonomic handles features a neon green strip so they don't get lost and the blades are made of carbon steel.

For small, precise cutting, try the Fiskars Non-stick Softgrip Micro-Tip Pruning Snip.  You can easily deadhead your marigolds or harvest herbs with these garden scissors.  The spring-action design also helps to reduce hand fatigue.  The blades are made of stainless steel and have a non-stick coating to help reduce buildup of sticky resin.  We personally LOVE these!

For larger jobs, like trimming branches up to 2 inches on your apple trees, use the Tabor Tools GG12 Compound Action Anvil Lopper.  Easily remove even dry and dead wood with the carbon steel blades.  The blades are low-friction and non-stick coated and the handles have a comfort grip, making these loppers easy to use even for those with arthritis.

To keep your blades sharp, use a tool like the Corona Sharpening Tool for straight blades.  It can easily fit in a pocket and has a non-slip grip.  It also has a cover to keep the 5 inch carbide file protected when not in use.

To protect your hands while using your pruning shears, especially when cutting something with thorns, try the Legacy Gardens Leather Gardening Gloves.  These unisex gloves will keep your hands soft and clean but are also flexible and durable.

Once you are in the kitchen with your harvest, try the Artful Homemaker's Ultra Sharp Kitchen Shears.  This all-in-one multi-use tool features blades that can cut through meat, veggies and herbs.  It can also peel fruits and veggies and be used as a straight knife or serrated knife and a fish scaler.  You can also crack nuts and shells, open bottles, trim flowers and houseplants and even use it as a flathead screwdriver!  The blades can come apart and are dishwasher safe.

If you love using fresh herbs in your dishes, try the Chef Remi Herb Scissors.  These 5 blade, stainless steal scissors make quick work of snipping up fresh herbs and spices without crushing the leaves.  These scissors have an ergonomic handle design and can be used right or left-handed and are dishwasher safe.