If you’re a homeowner, you likely feel proud whenever your lawn is perfectly balanced and the plants are blooming wonderfully. Soon enough, they will start attracting bees, butterflies, and birds, which can make your outdoor space A for meditation and relaxation. You can experience nature and enjoy peace and tranquility within just a few steps from your home.
Maintaining your plants, however, can be quite a hassle, particularly when dealing with hedging plants. A hedgerow or hedge refers to a group of shrubs, plants, and trees placed in orderly fashion to bring privacy to a property while simultaneously offering garden style. Hedge care methods such as cutting, trimming, and pruning all require adequate planning and a delicate touch.
Taking care of hedges is a challenging task. Fortunately, we are here to present to you the top 10 hedging tips and tricks from the Tree Center experts for your consideration.
- Plan Ahead
You need to plan carefully if you plan to have a hedgerow in your property. Besides providing privacy, the overall vibe of the outdoor space should consider the following:
– Garden Style
– Type of Hedge Plants
– Climate Conditions
– Plant Spacing
– Soil Type
– Corresponding Mature Sizes of the Selected Hedge Plants
If you have a landscaping professional helping you, it will be easier for you to plan how to turn your ideas into reality.
- Prune Young Hedges Before They Reach Maximum Size
Pruning refers to the removal of dying or dead parts of a plant to prevent pest and animal infestation as well as promote healthy growth and its natural shape. A good hedge is dense all over, as opposed to just the top. You can achieve this by light trimming the plants.
- Use the Proper Fertilizer
Using the right fertilizer will be critical to giving your plants the right nutrients to prevent various diseases, but this will depend on the type of soil, hedge plant used, and even the environmental conditions.
You generally require more fertilizer after the plants have been cut and trimmed. Hedges usually require nitrogen-rich fertilizer twice a year (spring and late summer). However, you should avoid over fertilizing since that would just result in fast but weak growth that’s prone to pest infestation.
- Trimming to Keep Them Compact and Dense
A good hedge is both compact and dense as previously mentioned. Regular trimming promotes healthy growth and keeps the shape of hedge plants. Follow the steps below to trim them the right way:
– Trim the hedge to the desired shape, but do it in moderation.
– Cut the foliage and stems accurately using a clean and sharp set of pruners.
– If the hedge has larger leaves, use a pair of secateurs to cut the wayward stems first followed by the smaller ones.
– To achieve a straighter-looking hedge, mount a string line at each end at your preferred height to give you a line to guide.’
– Don’t trim at the coldest or hottest time of the year since the growth of the hedge plants can be affected by the environmental temperature.
- Manage Diseases and Pests
It is important to manage hedge plants from diseases and pests. Unlike regular plants, after hedge plants are infected, the entire hedge will likely be affected. Always keep in mind that over fertilization, overwatering, and under managing your hedge plants may invite both diseases and pests that may be hard to handle.
- Consider Using Evergreens
Evergreens are the plants that are capable of withstanding season changes. It is more convenient to use them as hedges to maintain the foliage and color of your garden throughout the year. Furthermore, if you would like to set privacy for the property, then evergreens are the perfect plants for the job.
- Space Properly
Proper spacing of hedge plants will depend on the type of hedge and species of plants used. According to Iowa State University, plants in a formal, sheared hedge require spacing of between 0.3m and 0.8m. On the other hand, natural and informal shrubs should be spaced further apart.
Furthermore, medium hedge trees, between 1.5m and 2.5m in height require spacing of between 0.6m and 1.2m, while larger ones between 2.5m and 4m in height require spacing of between 1.2m and 1.8m.
- Shape the Hedges Well
When shaping the hedge, consider finishing it with a slight wedge-shape that has a slightly narrower top foliage compared to the bottom. That way, all branches will have access sunlight and this will result in healthier growth with foliage up to ground level.
- Invest in the Right Tools
Hedging is far from the easiest task. It requires both effort and the proper tools to keep hedges trimmed, pruned, and maintained the best way. Equip yourself with shears, pruners, loopers, trimmers, and scissors to maintain your garden’s beauty.
- Hire an Expert
The final tip for your consideration is hiring an expert landscaper if you need to. Hedge growing can become rather tiresome and a hassle. With the right professional advice, it is possible to turn your vision into reality without having to sacrifice the quality of the garden.