Questions To Ask Your Landscaper About Trimming Your Hedges

The most difficult task for hedge owners is trimming. As far as planting and maintenance goes, hedges are among the easiest plants to own. However, trimming can be an intimidating process. Some home owners are so intimidated that they hire professionals while other dive in without researching at all. If you have the chance however, you may want to talk with your landscaper about how to trim your hedges yourself. These are some great questions to ask, however they may be a bit general. Your landscaper will know what species of hedges you own and be able to tell you more specific instructions.

When Should I Trim?

In general, most hedges should be trimmed in late spring or late fall. These are great times to trim because they are when new sprouts will have shown up. You can essentially trim at any time of year. Most landscapers would probably tell you to stay away from winter trimmings unless you are completely cutting back the hedge. If this is the case, you can cut it back in late winter so new growth can begin and be present in the spring and summer. Some species are more particular than others about when to trim, so asking your local expert may help.

What Should I Trim?

If you are only trying to maintenance your hedge, you will need to concentrate on a few things. First, if there are any branches or areas of dead plant, you should remove them. This may mean only removing a few stems or needing to remove an entire chunk. Be careful when removing large areas of the hedge however, because you will not want to take more than necessary. Secondly, you will probably want to keep with your original shape of the hedge and remove any new growth that does not fit into the shape. You can do this with hand trimmers for the best results.

If you are planning to completely shape the hedge, be sure to do so slowly. Begin with one area at a time. Step back frequently to check your work and reexamine the direction in which you are trying to go. Consider training your hedge to grow in the manner you want it to grow before shaping. Young hedges can be trained to grow upward by trimming them laterally.

How Often Should I Trim?

Most hedges will require only one trimming per year. It all depends on the species of hedge you have however. Some hedges will require once a month trimmings. This is typically because these varieties are fast growing. When you plant a fast growing hedge, new growth will appear frequently, which will cause the need for more trimming. If you have a normal hedge that has growth showing a few times a year, only trim when necessary. If you trim your hedge more than necessary you will see that you can stunt its growth and cause it to look very unhealthy.

What Do I Need For Trimming?

There are basic tools you can use to trim your hedges. If you prefer to trim manually, you can purchase hedge trimmer. Make sure they are an appropriate size for your hedge. If you are pruning lightly, use smaller trimmers for better accuracy. If you are trimming large hedges, you may want to use larger trimmers. You can also purchase an electric or gas powered trimmer for large jobs. These trimmers can make the job quick and easy. Remember to wear the proper protective items as well. Gloves and safety goggles are recommended when trimming. While they may not seem necessary, they will ensure your safety from flying branches and sprouts.

What Tips Do You Have?

If you simply want to ask your landscaper for general tips, he or she may spill the beans about these things. First, if you want to train your hedge to grow upward, simply trim the side of the hedge and keep the top level. This is a great tip that many novice trimmers are unaware of. Second, if you want a thick hedge, be sure to trim with the direction of growth. For instance, make sure you clip in the same direction the branches are growing. This will discourage damage to the healthy areas.