Autumn is the perfect time to undertake garden maintenance and achieve great-looking hedges. It is also safer to do it now that the bird nesting period is over.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Hedges are usually grown from shrubs that have two vegetation phases within a year, one in spring and another at the end of summer. It’s best to wait for these growth periods to slow down so that the shape you give them will stay for a longer period.
Why trim hedges?
A well-trimmed hedge or shrub enhances the looks of a garden as well as offers privacy. When a shrub or hedge is frequently pruned, its health automatically gets better. By taking away the diseased and dead parts of a plant, insect infestation is reduced, and the spread of disease is lowered.
It stimulates the growth of new branches and reduces disease. Since it promotes the growth of more branches, it makes hedges bushier and stronger.
Hedge cutting tools
Hedge cutting can be a hard job but is made so much easier and safer with powered garden tools.
Hand-held hedge shears are fine for smaller hedges, but for large hedges, it is easier to use a powered hedge trimmer. Many different types are available, including corded electric, battery-powered and petrol trimmers.
Most battery-operated tools have interchangeable batteries that fit other power tools across the range. Battery products also don’t have cables that get in the way or require a power source; they also are as powerful as their petrol equivalents.
Weight is an important factor to consider, particularly if you have a lot of hedging to cut. Other considerations are the length/reach of the blades (pole and telescopic handled trimmers with adjustable blades are available), whether it has a single or double-sided blade, and how powerful it is – the power plus the distance between the blade teeth determines the thickness of stems it will cut through.
Hedge trimmers
The Mountfield MHT 2322 – MHJ2424 double-sided hedge trimmer is powered by a reliable, easy-starting 23.5 cc two-stroke petrol engine that runs on a 50:1 fuel/oil mixture. The 58cm/22″ double reciprocating blades will make light work of cutting growth up to 28mm in diameter – £149.99
The Greenworks G40HT61 40v cordless hedge trimmer kit includes a 2Ah 40v lithium-ion battery and 40v battery charger and can run for up to 60 minutes depending on the cutting conditions. It is economically priced at £190.00
The Mountfield MHT 50 LI 48v Freedom 500 cordless hedge trimmer comes as a kit with a battery and charger for £280.00. This cordless hedge cutter with a 58cm dual action cutting blade and a 180-degree rotating handle. Well-designed and easy to operate, the battery-powered hedge trimmer leaves a smooth and tidy finish to hedges and large shrubs around the garden.
Part of the Mountfield 48v Freedom 500 series, the hedge trimmer is powered by a 48v lithium battery system. There are a range of 48v batteries and chargers available to purchase separately which are interchangeable with all the hand-held garden tools in the Freedom 500 range.
Cordless power allows you to move around the garden independently of a power source and trailing cables. The 48v Freedom 500 series has ample power for domestic jobs without the noise and maintenance costs of a small petrol engine.
Superb value at £289, the EGO Power HT2001E 56V cordless hedge trimmer kit gives you all you need for a job well done. It uses a lithium-ion rechargeable battery to power the 51cm double-sided blades. The laser-cut steel blades are diamond ground for a precise, clean finish to the cut. Made from hardened steel the clean cut of the blade helps to encourage new growth in hedges and shrubs.
A lightweight machine at only 2.8kg (without a battery) this EGO hedge trimmer is comfortable to use and comes as a kit with a 2.5Ah battery and battery charger. Running time with the 2.5Ah battery is up to 75 minutes and this is dependent on the thickness of the material being cut.
Trimmers for professionals
For professional gardeners and landscapers, the Stihl hedge trimmer range includes electric hedge cutters, petrol hedge trimmers, cordless hedge cutters and long-reach articulating hedge trimmers. All Stihl hedge trimmers have a 2-year domestic warranty.
The Stihl HL 94 C-E long-reach trimmer at £858.60 is a professional hedge trimmer for keen gardeners, contractors and landscapers. This well-balanced tool is ideal for the maintenance of tall hedges and shrubs without the need of ladders. The ErgoStart makes starting up as easy and the Stihl 2-Mix engine gives excellent fuel consumption, power output and reduced noise levels.
Also suitable for professionals and homeowners the Echo DHC-2800R is a professional-grade hedge trimmer with a powerful, precise, and lightweight design. Weighing only 3.1 kg, it rivals petrol-engine models in performance. Its 71 cm blade enhances productivity, perfect for tackling larger hedges. This tool’s versatility stands out, seamlessly shifting from fine, precise trimming to clearing dense hedges and branches – £469.00.
Hedging maintenance hacks
Trimming a hedge well helps maintain it over the years, ensuring sufficient density and optimizing hedge growth. The base must be trimmed wider than the tip. This helps give light to all the shrubs that are part of the hedge.
Use an electric or battery-powered hedge trimmer for hedges longer than 16 feet (5 m) long, for better accuracy and especially easier workload.
Use pruners for the larger branches. Shears are more accurate, which helps for lower hedges.
Remove any obstacles under and around the hedge and lay a length of material on the floor to collect trimmings. This makes the task of clearing up much easier, as the trimmings can simply be bundled up in the material and removed.
If you are using a corded electric hedge trimmer, make sure it is plugged into a residual current device (RCD) before you start trimming.
How to cut a hedge
Cut the sides first. Start trimming at the bottom and work upwards, keeping the blades parallel to the side of the hedge. If using a hedge trimmer, cut in arcs from the bottom up.
If trimming a low hedge, aim for vertical sides. Taper taller hedges to make them slightly narrower at the top or have a ‘chamfer’. This is a section towards the top of a vertical side that slopes at a 45° angle to meet the horizontal top.
Don’t allow hedges to become wider at the top than they are at the base, as this will prevent light from reaching lower sections, causing poor growth and bare patches.
For a straight top, tie string about 1cm below your desired height to canes or stakes at either end of the hedge.
Rake the clippings off the top of your hedge so light can reach the cut stems and encourage healthy regrowth. Then add the clippings to the compost bin, ideally in layers between other materials, or add them to your council green waste recycling bin.
The ideal width for even vigorous hedges is around 60cm if they are regularly trimmed. Formal hedges should be slightly tapered on both sides so that the base is wider than the top and light can reach the bottom of the hedge.
Informal hedges
Informal hedges just need cutting back to the required size and any misplaced shoots removed. Using secateurs or loppers allows for a looser, more natural-looking finish, and avoids unsightly leaf damage to large evergreen leaves.
Where flowers are desired on informal hedges, only prune once at the correct time of year to encourage flowering. Incorrect pruning can reduce or prevent flowering.