How to Look After Hedges

Hedges are a sought-after feature in any garden, enhancing privacy, providing a safe habitat for birds and acting as a natural fence – not to mention that they also add a lush, green look to your outside space. However, if left to grow untamed, hedges can transform from a neat, manicured border into chaotic overgrowth.

But what work does a hedge need to keep it in good condition? The team here at Scotts Tree Surgery & Garden Maintenance is here to talk you through the process.

Know when to trim a hedge

Trimming is essential if you’d like to maintain your hedge’s shape, ensure it looks tidy and promote healthy growth. It’s generally advised that you should trim your hedges at least once a year, or more frequently for formal or fast-growing hedges.

However, it’s vital to know when the best time to trim your hedge is; otherwise, you might accidentally damage areas of new growth and prevent the very thing you’re trying to encourage.

The best time of year for pruning depends entirely on the type of hedge in question, but it’s typically recommended to trim an evergreen hedge in late winter/early spring before new growth begins. It’s important to note that nesting season occurs between March and August, so to avoid disturbing wildlife, it may be best to steer clear of doing work to your hedges during these months.

Use the right tools

As the old saying goes, ‘a gardener is only as good as their tools’.

To ensure clean, precise cuts, you should only ever use sharp manual or electric hedge trimmers when trimming and maintaining your hedge; you might also need a pair of pruning shears for more detailed work. Using blunt or poor-quality tools can inadvertently crush or damage your hedge, leaving it vulnerable to pests and disease.

Of course, it might be easier to consult a professional, like the team at Scotts Tree Surgery & Garden Maintenance, for help if your hedge is looking a little overgrown; we’ll always come equipped with the correct equipment to do the job properly.

Weeding

In order to thrive, your hedge needs to be able to get as much moisture and nutrients as it can. However, this becomes much more challenging when it’s in direct competition with weeds growing in the surrounding soil, so it’s important to carry out periodic hand weeding. Be sure to dig out the weed completely, including the roots, to prevent regrowth in the future.

Mulching

Mulch helps to retain moisture in the summer, protect roots in the winter and prevents weeds from growing. By applying a layer of mulch – such as garden compost or bark – around your hedge, you can improve the soil structure and ensure your hedge gets the nutrients it needs while also improving its overall look. The best time to apply mulch is during spring when the soil is moist and warm but before weeds have had the chance to germinate.

Feeding

While more mature hedges should still grow well without feeding, it’s never a bad idea, particularly if you’ve carried out any particularly drastic pruning. By applying a general-purpose fertiliser in the spring, this can provide additional nutrients and encourage faster growth.

Consult a professional

Without a doubt, the best way to look after your hedge is to enlist an expert, like the team at Scotts Tree Surgery & Garden Maintenance. We can carry out hedge maintenance on a one-off or regularly scheduled basis to help promote healthy growth and maintain an aesthetically pleasing shape.

Whether you need help with a small commercial garden or a large estate, the team at Scotts Tree Surgery & Garden Maintenance is on hand to support you with a range of grounds maintenance services. For more than 20 years now, we’ve been working in gardens throughout Dorking, Guildford, Horsham and beyond, and have established a leading name thanks to our five-star service.

Contact us to discuss your needs in more detail.