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How to Trim Hedges: 5 Important Tips

A neat and well-maintained garden or backyard is the dream of most homeowners. A hedge is made up of shrubs that grow closely together in a linear row. When properly maintained, a hedge is a beautiful and amazing part of a lawn. Learn how to trim tall hedges

However, one of the daunting tasks in the maintenance of a beautiful lawn is the cutting of a hedge. However, trimming hedges does not necessarily have to be a difficult task to undertake. As a matter of fact, with the right tips and tricks, this will be an easy task to undertake. 

1. Get the Timing Right 

Trimming of your hedges starts with the right timing. This is important to understand as your hedges are supposed to grow back optimally after you have trimmed them. Therefore, considering this factor, it is essential to get the timing of your trimming right. 

The best way to determine the timing of your trimming exercise is to start with undertaking a little bit of research on the plants you have. After that, you will have understood the best times for trimming your hedge based on the plant. 

The important tip here is that you should consider trimming plants that flower in spring after they have finished blooming. The other tip is that for those flowers which tend to flow in summer, then you should consider trimming them in early spring or at the end of winter

However, for plants that do not flower, you can trim them whenever there is new growth that you feel needs to be trimmed. You should also consider trimming them periodically throughout the year.

2. Get the Right Equipment 

Once you have made up your mind on the right time to trim your hedge, the next step is to get the right tools for the job. The easiest way to ensure that you have the right tools is to research on the type of plant and trimming that you need. After that then you need to come up with a checklist of the items which should be prepared. 

  • Thick Gloves: The first item is thick gloves which will protect your hand and fingers from the tools and thorns on some plants. 
  • Hedge Trimmer:  You should also consider getting top-rated gas hedge trimmers or electric-powered hedge trimmers. This tool will be important in undertaking the general shaping of the hedge. It will also help you get to spots that are a bit hard to reach. 
  • Hand Clipper: they are great for pruning buds and new growth. They can also be complemented with pruning tools such as hedge shears. 
  • Safety Goggles: you should also consider getting safety goggles to protect your eyes when undertaking the process.
  • Sturdy tarp: The final thing that you should consider putting in your list is tarp at the bottom of the area to be trimmed. This will go a long way in ensuring that the process is less messy and that the cleanup process will become easier. This is because it will collect the trimmed parts and make it easy when cleaning. 

3. Shape your Hedge Properly 

To trim your hedge properly you should always consider getting the right shape for your hedge. The right shape for a well-trimmed hedge is a narrow top with a thick bottom. You will start the process by determining which parts of the plant will be trimmed. Always consider trimming to maintain the right shape. Furthermore, you should always consider starting the whole process by removing branches that are damaged, dead, or diseased. With proper shaping, your hedge will look beautiful. 

4. Use Strings for Guide 

The shape of your hedge is also important as you can decide to have a straight surface of a rounded surface. Another important tip to note is that the top of the hedge should be cut straight. However, in winter it should be rounded to reduce the build-up of snow on the hedge. 

To come up with a well-shaped surface, you should consider using a string to guide you when cutting the top surface of the hedge. This will help you maintain a straight line and come up with a clean cut. 

5. Maintain Safety 

When trimming your hedge you will be using different tools. As a result, it is important to follow proper safety guidelines when using the tools. Furthermore, remember to wear protective gear to protect yourself from injury. 

You should also consider proper trimming of the hedge to avoid injuring the plants which will affect their health. 

#Bonus: Be Patient and Practice

A bonus tip is that the best way to trim your hedge is through being experienced. As they say, practice makes perfect. This means that you could mess up when starting. However, with proper practice and patience, you will be a pro at trimming your hedge. 

Conclusion 

At the end of the day, a properly maintained hedge is the key to a beautiful looking lawn. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you can trim your hedges well. Follow the above tips to be at the top of your game when trimming your hedge. 

 

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