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Trimming hedges isn't hard. In fact, it can even be a relaxing way to get out into your yard for a few hours. But with a few tips under your hat before you head out to trim your hedges, things will come out a lot smoother.
Why Trim Hedges:
There are three big reasons to trim your hedges. First, repeated trimming trains the plants the same way your hair gets trained by being combed the same way over and over. Second, we improve the health of the plant by trimming off dead sections that can invite insects or disease into the rest of the plant. Third, believe it or not, trimming hedges actually encourages them to grow.
When to Trim:
The best time to trim your hedges in the late winter or early spring, before growth has started. The hedge is dormant during this time and will be least affected.
Don't trim during the spring when they are actively growing or you will stunt your hedges growth. Also, don't trim in late summer, or the hedge may start a new round of growth that will leave it weak when winter hits, possibly killing the plant.
To Trim or Prune:
This section is for appearance only. Trimming is faster and easier than pruning when it comes to hedges, so if that takes priority for you then feel free to trim all the time. But if you want the best look, follow this advice...
Hedges can be made out of lots of different types of plants. So look at the size of the leaf to determine if you need to prune individual branches or if you can use something faster like electric hedge trimmers.
If the leaf size is larger than a quarter, then prune individual branches. If it's smaller, trim. Larger leaves will cut along with the branches with a trimmer, and these half leaves are ugly. The cut leaf will likely die, but it won't really put the whole plant in any danger. So again, this one is personal preference.
How to Trim Your Hedges:
Trim the sides first and give them a mild slope. In other words, make sure the bottom is wider than the top. If you don't, the upper leaves and branches will keep the sunlight from reaching the lower leaves and eventually, the lower limbs will die. This will leave you with hedges that are thin on the bottom.
After you've finished the sides, go back and trim the top. There are a few choices here. You can choose to make the tops square, rounded, or pointed. The choice is up to you, and the only real difference is your personal preference.
When trimming the tops, you can take the technical approach or you can wing it. The best way to be "sure" that you will have the tops of your shrubs straight is to use stakes and string.
All you do is pound two stakes in the ground; one at each end of a straight section of hedge. Place the stakes right up next to the hedges. Then attach a string between the two stakes at the height you want your hedge to be. Now use the string to guide your cuts, and the tops of your hedges will have a uniform look. And that's how to trim your hedges.
A good electric trimmer like this long reach hedge trimmer will make the job a lot easier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Woods
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