How Do You Maintain a Healthy Hedge?

A garden is incomplete without hedges.

Do you think summers can exist without the sun?

Well, it’s the same with a yard that does not have any collection of bushes and shrubs, especially on the borders.

Hence, you cannot ignore them.

Understand what your hedges need and act accordingly. Each plant has different expectations.

So, it’s better to learn some basics about hedge care. Hence, we are here with some top factors that you can consider to maintain a healthy garden hedge.

 

1. Map the Hedges

Plan before you start trimming the hedges. The cutting results will last for the next few months. Hence, it’s better to cut them right.

So, make sure how much you want to trim and what shape you expect.

Trim the hedges correctly. Make sure that the cuts are even. Above all, trim them into a slope so that their bottom can be wide. Such an arrangement makes sure that the sunlight can reach all the leaves, resulting in healthy growth.

With an incorrect shape, the hedges might die due to a lack of solar energy. Such an incident can spoil the appearance of your garden.

We suggest that you bevel or taper on the top of all the hedges. This design sheds the snow and also makes them stable.

 

2. Maintain Them Regularly

Formal hedges seek more maintenance than informal ones. But, care is required up to some levels in both designs.

For instance, new fences need regular trimming so that they can grow into the required shape.

Trim the hedges in springs or winters when they are not growing well. But, the trimming needs differ according to the plants. Formal edges, including privet or box, requires 2 to 3 trims in their growing season, which starts from May and lasts till September.

Fast-growing species like conifers need more pruning than other plantations. However, it’s not good to trim any of the hedges after August.

If you want to perform some significant changes, then wait until February. We suggest that you research the hedge species for a better understanding of how you can maintain them.

Also read: What is The Proper Way To Trim a Hedge?

3. Prevent Weed Growth

Your hedges need a sufficient amount of water and sunlight to grow well. But, weeds can steal these nutrients that hindrances the growth of your lovable plants.

Hence, it’s better to remove all the weeds using your hands so that the hedges can stay healthy during their growing season.

Pull the weeds to take them off the ground. Do this on a sunny day so that the remains can quickly wilt. We agree that getting rid of the weeds using your hands could be time-consuming. But, old ways are always the best when we talk about weed control.

Organic mulching is also a bright solution, especially in the spring. Once spread, the layer of mulch will block all the sunlight and air, which will quickly kill all the unwanted plantations.

The mulch also works as a natural fertilizer. So, use bark mulch or woodchips because these materials decompose slowly. You can also apply mulch made of cutting lawn grasses.

However, make sure that the grasses do not have any weeds.

 

4. Frequent Watering is Crucial.

Rainfall is not enough to suffice the water requirements of your hedges. In summers, these plants can turn brown or dry out due to water loss and winds. So, help them to survive with some additional water.

If you have planted hedges on the boundary, you would like them to be established as fast as possible. So, water the plants regularly.

You can configure an irrigation system to reduce the level of hard work. But, make sure it’s installed appropriately.

Ensure close spacing between drip lines to facilitate even water flow. We do not recommend a sprinkler with a spray function because it wastes water and can also cause leaf diseases to ruin your hedges. Apart from that, several factors can alter the amount of water required by your garden hedges.

For instance, if the soil in your garden cannot retain the moisture for long, then you have to water the plants more often than you expect. Similarly, the type of the plantation and the amount of sunlight and wind it’s getting also determine the quantity of water they need.

The evening is the best time to water the plants to take benefits of the damp ground throughout the night. You can set the timer on an irrigation system if you own one. Do not water the plants if it’s raining. Overwatering can damage their roots.

 

5. Check for Birds and Other Nesting Animals

Your hedges can be a home for birds and certain mammals. The group of plants keeps them from predators and weather. If you notice a family in the greens, avoid disturbing them.

You should follow the Hedge Cutting & Bird Nesting Season Laws.

Killing the birds or destroying their nests is a crime anyways. The punishment could include an acceptable prison term or both. So, wait until they leave and then carry on your maintenance tasks.

 

Conclusion

Follow the tips mentioned above to keep your hedges healthy and beautiful throughout the year. Wear all the safety gear while using a hedge trimmer. Checkout the hedge trimming safety guideline here.

Safety goggles, ear protection, boots and gloves are a must before you start a trimming session. If you don’t have access to a trimmer, try consulting an expert for hedge maintenance.