PRUNING OUTDOORS

I have some outdoor plants that are 1 to 1.5 meters tall. I never pruned the lower leaves. Now that it is early August how much should I prune now to promote readiness for flowering? Some are bushy, some are tall and a bit leggy.

I have some outdoor plants that are 1 to 1.5 meters tall. I never pruned the lower leaves. Now that it is early August how much should I prune now to promote readiness for flowering? Some are bushy, some are tall and a bit leggy.
Russel

If the plants are far enough apart not to shade each other, so all of the branches are getting light, there is no reason to remove them. Sunlight has been supporting their growth throughout the season and this will continue through ripening.

If the plants are close together so that only the top canopy receives light and the lower branches are shaded by top branches or other plants, the understory will produce very few buds and they will be lower quality. The leaves don't have access to light, which is needed to produce sugars used as building blocks for growth. These leaves and branches should be removed for several reasons.
They cost the plants energy. Rather than producing sugars, they import them from productive parts of the plant to maintain metabolism. They use water and minerals collected by the roots. When they are removed the resources go to the productive leaves at the top of the canopy, giving the leaves the resources to grow faster, and the roots have less tissue to provide for.

Excess branches and leaves that are not productive create more humid conditions. Plant leaves transpire water, creating a moist area around the plant. When there are more branches and leaves, more water is transpired, so the plant is surrounded by more moisture.

Extraneous leaves and branches hamper airflow. Breezes remove moist and CO2-depleted air and brings fresh CO2 laden air to the leaf surfaces.
Clip branches and leaves that are in perennial shadow using scissors or plant clippers that are constantly dipped in 3 percent (drugstore grade) hydrogen peroxide to prevent infections.