Keeping your hedge beautiful, neat and healthy requires the correct balance of feed, water and outdoor conditions, but the correct pruning can also make or break plants. Hedges in the summer months need to be properly cut to allow the new growth to take over and form that familiar dense growth, but also to strengthen the vegetation. The following tips can help promote the growth and condition of all hedge types.
A hedge is a common garden plant, but require a fair amount of care to achieve its full and healthy green consistency. For a hedge that is newly planted, you must perform routine trims to remove any old branches and leaves and to encourage stronger and deeper root development. This is carried out for a few years until the plant has established and healthy levels of grow have occurred.
You can use a handheld shear or similar trimming tool that is sharp and able to cleanly cut through the stems of the plant. Many hedges are cut with a lightweight weed trimmer, but this is not recommended unless the plant is older and is being cut into a shape. Pruning and shaping younger plants with the wrong tools prevents removal of unwanted growth or dead patches and could kill the bush.
It is best to conduct a trim in the spring and summer to prepare the plant for the new growth and accelerated development. Using a good pair of gloves and a shears, you must examine the hedge and identify areas of weakness or dead branches that need to be cut off. Trimming is an easy process if you know what to look for and receive the proper management tips from a professional.
You can use a hand trimmer to keep the plants short and neat and proves particularly useful for larger hedge types. These tools provide better control and help target specific areas of these plants without making the mistake of chopping too much and compromising the health of hedges. Once established and a few years old, you can clip the hedge into any type of shape or keep it flat and neat along the top.
Depending on the type of hedge, learn about its water requirements to maintain it development and health. Many plants can tolerate long periods without water while others will need to remain moist at the roots to facilitate healthy development. If you are unsure about its water needs, visit a local gardening facility to discuss the maintenance of the plant.
It is a good idea to remove all the dead flowers after the summer bloom to prevent these sections from sapping energy from the plant. Look out for decaying branches or areas of disease that would compromise the integrity and any future growth. With the right approach, these plants can be kept strong and in the best condition throughout the year.
Keeping a hedge neatly trimmed and well cared for during the summer period can help produce dense growth and a healthy bush. A hand shears or electrically operated tool provides greater control over the trimming process. Simple care in the spring and summer months can provide an abundance of future growth.
