7th October 2022
The time has come to cut the hedges. It's time to step up your gardening efforts and improve the appearance of your property with tastefully shaped and well-trimmed hedges. Impress all of your visitors and friends while taking advantage of a tidy yard all year round.
Learn about the benefits of a garden hedge trimming service and have a look at some of the unique shapes for trimming hedges. Are you eager to learn the best advice and methods for pruning hedges directly from our gardening experts? Check out the article.
The hedge trimming season
The objective of the cut determines the best time of year to trim hedges. Two types of cutting should be kept in mind: excessive growth trimming, which should be done twice a year, and maintenance trimming, which should be done all year long. The months of late winter and early autumn are the ideal times to prune an overgrown hedge.
In order to maintain the height and shape of your bushy greens, you should also perform any necessary trimming between spring and summer. Is there a terrible time to trim hedges, though? Yes, between late fall and early spring, when birds are laying their eggs.
Hedge trimming shapes
How to trim a hedge is shown here. Start trimming at the bottom of the hedge and gradually work your way up to the top. When advancing the cutting bar along the hedge, go slowly and steadily. Slide the blades rather than trying to push them to cut; let them finish their task. On your first pass, it's preferable to avoid cutting too deeply into the hedge to avoid breaking or removing more branches. Rather, take many shallow passes and chop off a few inches at a time.
The following tools are necessary to give your hedge a regular shape: wooden stakes, string, and a hedge trimmer.
Additionally, using the following tools will let you create spiral, rounded, or irregular hedges: Hand shears and meshing wire
Round
Let's now discuss hedge trimming advice and methods for creating rounded hedges. It is advisable to begin about 8 cm (3 inches) from the top of a hedge if you wish to round it. For a smooth curve, use your instinct, impulse, and eye. Repeat this process all the way around the hedge to ensure an even finish. Make changes as necessary.
Other than by eye, it is difficult to create this shape. Unless you want to utilise wire mesh as a guide, that is. It could be a good idea to practise on a less noticeable hedge before building any features.
Spiral
Although swirling hedge cutting shapes appear to be difficult to follow, a keen eye and some practise will help. The base of the hedge should be the largest when it is shaped into a cone. Locate the centre of growth at the top of your hedge and work your way down to form the cone.
Using a piece of string to mark the spiral's placement will help you manoeuvre your pruning shears around the plant. As you work your way up from the base of the hedge, cut the foliage at an angle beneath the string to create the spiral form. As you go, gradually raise the angle for a spiral that is more clearly defined.
Box
The best formal hedges are hedge boxes that have dense vegetation and tiny leaves. Not only because they have such a striking appearance, but also because it makes them quite simple to shape and maintain. Even though this is the easiest design to create, it would be difficult to create informal hedges with substantial foliage.
Triangle
Triangle-shaped hedges should always have their widest point at the base. You should first sketch out the precise shape you want and then adhere to it while making the slopes for your hedge. After you have finished mapping, check to see that your hedge will receive enough sunshine in all areas. This is crucial because these uncovered parts risk turning brown and degenerating without sunlight.
The best hedge trimming tips and techniques
Trim three or four times annually
The right cutting season is the first item on our list of hedge trimming advice and tricks. Formal hedges will need to be meticulously trimmed three or four times a year to keep a tidy, manicured appearance. Contrary to formal hedges, however, informal hedges can be cut once or twice a year as they develop a more organic shape.
Don’t trim hedges in early spring
We discuss hedge trimming methods and advice, but it's also crucial to discuss the wrong ways to trim hedges. It is not a good idea to trim in the early spring. For a few reasons, you should refrain from doing it. Sprouts that have not yet fully matured can be destroyed by the cold in the winter and early spring.
When pruning a hedge at a low temperature, the new growth is particularly susceptible to severe frost damage. Additionally, birds' primary nesting season lasts from March to August. We strongly advise against pruning hedges with excessive growth during that time.
Only perform maintenance trimmings. And always do a thorough inspection for active nests before cutting.
Trim sides at an angle
The hedge will get larger at the bottom and narrower at the top if the sides are trimmed at an angle. This is a good shape that allows the hedge to receive enough sunlight. In fact, the hedge's lower branches and roots will get more sunlight, which will add to the hedge's rich, alive, and green appearance. Cutting at an angle helps define the sides and creates attractive forms for pruning hedges. However, it is not the case with typical flat-topped, rectangular-shaped formal hedges.
It is advised that you hold the trimmer's cutting bar entirely level while gradually guiding it left to right, then right to left, in order to cut the hedge flat at the top. Keep in mind that you can cut in both directions while using a hedge trimmer.
Clean up the debris and finalize the hedge shape
After the first few passes with the hedge trimmer, remove the broken branches and leaves with your hands or a leaf rake. If extra trimming is required, take a distance look at the hedge. If more trimming is required, the hedge will take on its final shape. Extra advice: To trim particularly tall hedges, use a hedge trimmer with an extended reach.
The trimmer is connected to a lengthy, adjustable shaft by an adjustable shaft. It makes pruning tall branches safer and easier than using a ladder while standing on it.
Trim hedges in the early morning or late afternoon
Speaking of methods and advice for trimming hedges, it is important to trim them in the early morning or late afternoon. Thus, the sun wouldn't damage the delicate, recently-cut branches. You would also give the plant some time to begin recovering without being subjected to sweltering temperatures and direct sunshine by avoiding the warmest part of the day.
Our skilled gardening crew is committed to assisting you in creating the most beautiful home garden with perfectly trimmed hedges. You can use our reasonably priced garden hedge trimming service if you ever feel that you lack the necessary time, knowledge, tools, or resources to complete this.