While a healthy, robust hedge offers many benefits, trimming hedges in a way that encourages this kind of growth is a fairly complex task. If you don’t have gardening experience or the right tools for the job, it’s not going to be as easy as you might think.
Today, the Paramount Gardening team are going to share a systematic breakdown of how to trim your hedges for all the beginner gardeners out there. Or do things the easy way and give us a shout. Our elite property care crews are standing by to create your dream hedge and help you maintain it so that you get the most out of this elegant privacy screen for your property.
Pick the Best Time
Generally speaking, your hedges are easiest to trim for the first time in early winter before they bud. The lower humidity kills off the pests that might be attracted to the freshly-cut branches. This also means you’ll have fewer leaves to deal with, creating much less stress on the hedge itself.
On top of that, try to trim your hedges early in the morning or later in the evening. The sun is much lower during these times, which will ensure insects and other pests will be less prevalent.
Use the Right Gear
Across the board, trimming hedges requires a fair bit of gear. It can be a big job. But there’s a beginner-friendly version of the kit. Let’s break that down.
Cleanup Gear
Trimming hedges, especially if you’re doing so for the first time, can be very messy work! Preparing with your cleanup in mind will save you a lot of time and a major headache. Consider placing a groundsheet beneath the hedge before cutting so you can scoop all the garden waste into green bags for easy disposal.
You might also want to use your leaf blower if you have one or a rake if you don’t.
Personal Protective Equipment
When you’re trimming hedges, leaves and sharp branches tend to go flying, so it’s important to protect yourself. Not to mention, the sap and pollen can be very irritating to the skin, eyes, and lungs. This can be sweaty work, but resist the urge to dress in shorts and a T-shirt!
Make sure you’re donning:
- Heavy duty gloves.
- A long-sleeved top and pants.
- Non-slip covered shoes.
- A breathing mask to filter out spores or insects.
- Protective eyewear.
This will protect your skin, eyes, and lungs from the side effects of hedge trimming. You’ll be using sharp tools and implements, so the right protection is vital.
Trimming Gear
Finally, you’ll need some gear to actually trim the hedges. You can use standard shears if you don’t want to invest in a motorised trimmer, although this method generally takes a lot longer and makes it tougher to achieve straight lines.
For the best result, use a purpose-made hedge trimmer. That means either borrowing or purchasing one. Try to pick one with a battery rather than a cord, as the cord can present a tripping or cutting hazard.
Work Hard for Perfectly Straight Lines
When it comes to trimming hedges, the number one mark of quality is those sought-after straight lines. It does take a lot of time, and practice will give you the kind of uniform edges you can happily brag about.
The good news is you only have to do this for the first time once. It’s a lot like mowing the lawn. As soon as you’ve established those straight lines, it’s just a game of maintenance, using those original edges as your guidelines. You’ll likely only need to go in every six months or so to keep them looking relatively in shape, all while allowing the shrubs to stay healthy.
Once your hedge has grown out enough to handle some trimming, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Trim from the bottom up. When you’re trying to achieve clean lines, start from the bottom and head upward. Starting at the top and going too deep can be a death sentence for your hedge’s uniform edges, but cutting with a see-saw motion from the bottom will establish the perfect shape.
- Pick the right shape. Speaking of which, trimming hedges requires a little bit of geometry. Rely on an inverted keystone shape, where your base is wider and the top is sleeker. This helps to counteract the natural shape of a shrub, which tends to grow out wider at the top and smaller at the bottom.
With these tips in your back pocket, trimming hedges for the first time will be a breeze. Pick the best time for the trim, use the right gear to get things right, and take the time to nail those perfectly straight lines.
Keep your hedges stunning all year round with the elite team from Paramount Gardening.
Stunning hedges can transform your property, so rely on the experienced team at Paramount Gardening to keep yours looking pristine. Trimming hedges is one of our special skills, and we’re proud to offer a superior service that will enhance curb appeal and add privacy to your property.
Access high-quality hedge trimming from your property care partner. Get in touch with us today to arrange a free quote.
