Frequent Trimming of Your Hedge not only maintains its shape but also encourages thicker foliage, creating a lush barrier that supports garden wildlife.
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Everything to Get Started
A diverse array of evergreen and deciduous species are cultivated as hedges, and the optimal trimming period varies with the hedge variety. For insights on the timing and frequency of trimming various hedge plants, consult our comprehensive guide on hedge pruning.
For small hedges and tender growth, manual shears are apt, whereas electric, gasoline, or battery-operated hedge trimmers facilitate work on larger hedges. If you’re dealing with large-leaved evergreens and have time to spare, opt for secateurs or loppers to avoid the unsightly appearance of cut leaves caused by shears or trimmers. Ensure that whatever tool you choose is well-maintained with sharp blades.
Safety is paramount when operating a powered hedge trimmer. Don protective eyewear and robust gloves. Our guides on electrical safety in the garden and secure gardening practices offer additional precautions.
Utilize a sturdy step ladder, tripod ladder, or platform for elevation. Tripod ladders with adaptable legs are particularly handy on uneven terrain. Strive to maintain your hedges at a manageable height and breadth. If your hedge has been neglected and requires substantial size reduction, refer to our guide on hedge renovation for strategies.
Prior to trimming, meticulously inspect the hedge for bird nests. In Canada, the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, stipulate that it is unlawful to harm, disturb, or remove nests containing live birds or viable eggs. For certain species listed in Schedule 1, nests are protected year-round until deemed abandoned1. Should you discover an active nest, postpone your trimming activities until the fledglings have safely departed.
Essentials for Hedge Trimming:
Here’s a refined and reordered list of essentials for hedge trimming, with unnecessary items removed and important additions included:
- Motorized hedge trimmer or manual shears – Choose based on the size of your hedge.
- Secateurs or loppers – Essential for precise cuts on dense or large-leaved evergreens.
- Safety goggles – Protect your eyes from flying debris.
- Durable footwear – Ensure stability and protect your feet.
- Heavy-duty gloves – Protect your hands from thorns and rough branches.
- Residual current device (RCD/GFCI Outlet) – For safe use of electric trimmers.
- Garden waste bags or tarpaulin – For easy collection of clippings.
- Rake or broom – Clean up debris from the ground.
- Canes and string – To mark straight lines for even trimming.
- Ear protection – If using a loud motorized trimmer (optional but recommended).
- Long-sleeved shirt – To protect your arms from scratches.
- Garden kneeler or cushion – For comfort when working close to the ground (optional).
- Ladder or step stool – For reaching the top of the hedge safely.
This list is designed to ensure safety and efficiency while trimming hedges, making the task easier and more enjoyable.
Seven Easy Steps to Achieve the Perfectly Trimmed Hedge in Calgary
1 Evaluating Your Hedge:
Stroll beside your hedge, scrutinizing both sides for inconsistent growth patterns. Ideally, a trim should clear out most of the new growth, which is typically less than a year old. However, for a uniform appearance, you might need to adjust and leave certain areas longer to compensate for uneven growth rates. Using a straight edge adjacent to a lawn or path, or establishing a string line at the base, can act as a reliable guide for achieving straight lines.
2 Setting Up for a Smooth Trimming Session
Clear the area surrounding your hedge of any debris or objects that could hinder your movement. Spread out a sheet or tarp on the ground to catch the clippings. This simple step will streamline the cleanup process, allowing you to wrap up and dispose of the trimmings with ease.
For those utilizing a corded electric hedge trimmer, it’s crucial to connect it to a residual current device (RCD/GFCI Outlet) to ensure your safety before commencing the trimming task. This precaution helps prevent electrical accidents, allowing you to focus on achieving that perfectly manicured hedge.
3 Begin by Shaping the Sides:
Initiate the trimming process from the base, ascending gradually while ensuring the cutting blades remain parallel to the hedge’s side. When utilizing a hedge trimmer, execute the cuts in upward arcs for a smooth finish.
For hedges not exceeding 1m (40in) in height, strive for vertical sides to maintain a neat appearance. For taller hedges, consider tapering them so they are slightly more slender at the top. Alternatively, create a ‘chamfer’—an angled cut towards the top of the hedge that slopes at a 45° angle, blending seamlessly into the flat top.
Avoid letting the top of the hedge become wider than the base. This can block sunlight from reaching the lower sections, leading to sparse growth and unsightly gaps. Keeping the hedge narrower at the top ensures even light distribution, promoting healthy growth throughout.
4. Achieving a Flawless Hedge Top with String:
To ensure a straight edge along the top of your hedge, fasten a string line approximately 1cm (½in) beneath the height you aim to achieve, stretching it between poles or stakes at each end of the hedge.
When dealing with a hedge situated on an incline, consider whether a sloped top that mirrors the ground’s gradient, a level top with periodic steps, or allowing the plants at the lower end to grow taller for a uniform hedge height would be most aesthetically pleasing.
For those desiring a more natural or artistic hedge contour, follow the pattern of previous pruning cuts as a reference. Trim to leave a small margin of about 1cm (½in) of new growth, preserving the unique shape while encouraging healthy development.
5 Monitoring Your Trimming Technique:
It’s essential to pause periodically and evaluate how your hedge is shaping up, regardless of whether you’re using manual shears or a powered hedge trimmer. Inspect the sides by viewing them from the end where you initiated the cut. To gauge the evenness of the top, step back for a broader perspective.
For those who are novices in hedge trimming, it’s wise to start with conservative cuts. After assessing the form, you can always trim further if necessary. This approach is especially crucial for conifer hedges, which are known for their inability to sprout anew from older wood.
6 Disposing of Hedge Trimmings Efficiently:
After trimming, it’s important to remove the clippings from atop your hedge to allow sunlight to nourish the freshly cut stems, fostering robust regrowth. Gather the debris collected on the cloth or tarp you’ve spread out, and then rake or sweep any remaining clippings from the ground. Integrate these trimmings into your compost pile, alternating them with different types of waste to aid decomposition, or place them in your municipal green waste bin for recycling. For additional tips on repurposing or disposing of garden waste.
7 Maintaining Hedge Health Post-Trimming:
To ensure your hedge remains vibrant and recovers robustly from each trim, apply a layer of organic mulch around its base when late winter transitions into early spring. This not only conserves moisture but also enriches the soil as it decomposes.
In cases where your soil is more on the sandy side, or if your hedge has exhibited symptoms of nutrient scarcity, it’s beneficial to distribute a balanced granular fertilizer right before you lay down the mulch. Additionally, during prolonged dry spells, it’s crucial to provide your hedges with extra water to compensate for the lack of rainfall, ensuring they stay hydrated and healthy.
