How to Trim Hedges Like a Pro

With the seemingly endless list of garden maintenance tasks, hedges are often the first thing to see neglect. Mowing the lawn and watering the garden bed is a weekly occurrence, but how often should hedges be trimmed and how should they be cared for? We’ve put together some helpful tips to help you maintain your hedges like a pro.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU TRIM HEDGES?

Hedges should be well-kept, just like a lawn or garden bed, and should be watered and trimmed regularly. When planting new hedges, make sure to keep them well-pruned as they grow, to encourage thicker growth and ensure they form the shape you want. Once a hedge is fully grown, it should be maintained often to ensure it stays healthy. 

Just like your lawn, your hedge maintenance will depend on the season, the weather, and the species of the hedge. The seasons play a huge role in how plants grow, and in winter, most plants hibernate meaning less maintenance is required. This means winter is a great time to get out and trim your hedges, as there are fewer leaves and often no buds or flowers. 

Maintaining Your Hedging Tools

Keeping your tools in good working order will ensure you’re getting a precise cut every time. Blunt hedge trimmer blades will not efficiently trim your hedge and you may end up with a less-than-professional looking job. Blunt blades can tear at your hedge instead of cutting it, which can end up causing more harm than good. At least once a year, make sure you clean your power tools to keep them in good working order.

Bushranger’s hedge trimmers are high-quality and high-performance trimmers. Whether you have a large, commercial job at hand or a hedge in your own backyard, Bushranger has the hedge trimmer for you.

Correct Trimming Techniques

Depending on what shape you want your hedge to be, start by getting rid of any large branches that may be poking out. When you begin to prune and trim the hedge, keep it wider at the base so that the sunlight can reach all areas of the hedge. If you trim it to be narrower at the bottom, those leaves will struggle to get enough sunlight and may die. 

If you are after neat lines, trim your hedge from the bottom up, remembering to keep the base wider and the top narrow. Use a gliding motion along your hedge, and make your way from one end of the hedge to the other. Trim the bottom part of the hedge first, then move to the middle and sides and finally focus on the top.

Other Tips And Tricks

If you are cutting your hedge into a more complex shape, be prepared that this hedge will need more regular upkeep. Some other helpful tips include:

• Hedges need to be fertilised too. They should be fertilised in spring, along with the rest of your garden, as peak growing season is here. Fertilising your hedge will give it that extra boost it needs after a cold winter. 
• Remember not to push too hard with your hedge trimmer into the hedge itself, as this can cause you to cut away more of the hedge than you had planned. 
• Keep a leaf blower on hand for the clean-up. This is the easiest and least time-consuming way to get rid of all of the old leaves and keep your garden looking tidy. 

Head into your local Bushranger dealer today to shop the full range of hedge trimmers and garden tools, or browse the range on our website.