As a homeowner, you probably feel proud whenever your lawn is well-balanced, and your plants are blooming splendidly. Soon enough, they would attract butterflies, bees, and birds, which can make your outdoor space ideal for relaxation and meditation purposes. You can feel nature and be at peace with just a few steps from your house.
However, plants’ maintenance can be quite a hassle, especially in dealing with hedging plants. A hedge or a hedgerow is a group of plants, shrubs, and trees that are placed in an orderly manner to bring privacy into one’s property and offer garden style at the same time. Hedge methods such as trimming, cutting, and pruning require proper planning and a delicate touch.
Taking care of hedges is a difficult task. Luckily, Trees Down Under is here to present to you the top 10 hedging tips and tricks for you to consider.
- Plan Ahead
If you plan to have a hedgerow in your property, you need to plan carefully. Aside from providing privacy, the overall vibe of your outdoor space needs to consider the following:
- Type of Hedge Plants
- Garden Style
- Corresponding Mature Sizes of Chosen Hedge Plants
- Soil Type
- Plant Spacing
- Climate Conditions
With a landscape expert like Trees Down Under, you can plan on how you can turn your ideas into reality.
- Prune Young Hedge Before Reaching Its Maximum Size
Pruning is the process of removing dead or dying parts of a plant to prevent animal and pest infestation and promote its natural shape and healthy growth. A good hedge is dense all over, not just on the top. The best way to achieve this is by light trimming the plants (probably 2 cm each time).
- Choose the Right Fertiliser
Depending on the type of hedge plant, soil, and environmental condition, choosing the right fertiliser is essential to give your plants the proper nutrients to prevent various diseases.
In general, you need more fertiliser after plants have undergone cutting and trimming. Most hedges require fertiliser that is rich in nitrogen for twice a year (spring and late summer). But note that you need to avoid over fertilising since it would result in fast but weak growth that is prone to pest infestations.
- Trim to Keep Them Dense and Compact
As mentioned earlier, a good hedge is dense and compact. Regular trimming promotes healthy growth and keeps the shape of the hedge plants. Follow these steps to trim them the right way:
- Use a clean and sharp set of pruners to cut the foliage and stems accurately.
- Trim the hedge plant to your desired shape, but in moderation.
- For a straighter looking hedge, mount a string line at each end at the desired height to give you a line to guide.
- If your hedge has larger leaves, use a pair of secateurs to cut wayward stems first then the smaller ones.
- Avoid trimming at the hottest or coldest time of the year. Environment temperature can affect the growth of your hedge plants.
- Manage Pest and Diseases
It is essential to manage your hedge plants from pests and diseases. Unlike regular plants, once your hedge plants get infected, the entire hedge will most likely get affected. Always remember that overwatering, over fertilising, and under managing hedge plants can invite pests and diseases that are hard to handle.
- Consider Evergreens
Evergreens are plants that can withstand season changes. It is more convenient to invest them as hedges to maintain your garden’s colour and foliage throughout the year. Furthermore, if it is your objective to set privacy for your property, then evergreens are the best plants to do that job.
- Space Right
The trick when it comes to spacing hedge plants depends on plant species and hedge type. According to Iowa State University, plants in a sheared and formal hedge require 0.3 to 0.8 m spacing. Meanwhile, informal and natural shrubs need to be spaced further apart.
Furthermore, medium hedge trees that are 1.5 to 2.5 m tall need a 0.6 m to 1.2 m spacing, while larger ones from 2.5 to 4 m tall require 1.2 to 1.8 m apart.
- Shape Hedges Well
In shaping your hedge, consider finishing it with a slight wedge-shape, which has slightly narrower top foliage than the bottom. In this way, all the branches have access to sunlight that will result in healthier growth with foliage up to the ground level.
- Equip Yourself with the Appropriate Tools
Hedging is not an easy task. It would require effort and the right tools to keep your hedges pruned, trimmed, and maintained the best way. Equip yourself with pruners, shears, trimmers, loopers, and scissors to preserve the beauty of your garden.
- Hire an Expert
The last but not the least tip for you to consider is to hire an expert landscaper if you need to. Growing hedges can become quite tiresome and hassle. With professional advice, you can turn your vision into a reality without sacrificing the quality of your garden.
Moreover, you might also need an arborist for different hedge plant treatments such as pruning, mulching, trimming, and cutting. In this way, you can ensure that your outdoor space is in good hands.
Conclusion
Hedging requires time and effort. It can be quite tiring, but once you see and enjoy your outdoor space, it would all become worth the hard work. If there are instances when you don’t know what to do, you can always rely on the top 10 hedging tips and tricks presented in this article. And when you need expert advice, you can depend on Trees Down Under!
Our team of professional arborists can do all kinds of hedging services. From trivial tasks such as tree pruning and mulching up to extensive ones such as landscaping and tree removal, we can do them fast and efficient.
We have the right tools and equipment, no matter how small or big the job is. Don’t worry about the price since we give the most affordable rates here in Sydney. We have serviced thousands of clients who can guarantee our first-rate services.
Do you need tips and tricks for your hedge plants? Don’t hesitate to call us at 0475 463 597 or send us your enquiries via email.
