Monty Don, the renowned horticulturist and presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World, has advised gardeners to postpone hedge cutting until late summer to safeguard nesting birds, particularly robins. In a post on X, he warned that spring, especially April, is the worst time for hedge trimming as many birds are still raising their young.
Robins, house sparrows, blackbirds, and wrens commonly nest in hedges throughout the summer. Cutting hedges prematurely can endanger their offspring. Don emphasised that the best times for hedge cutting are winter and late summer, when all chicks have fledged and left the nests.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) reminds gardeners that disturbing nesting birds is illegal under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. Gardeners should check hedges thoroughly before undertaking any work.
Don has also previously advised against cutting lawns too early in colder months, as grass does not thrive in low temperatures. He recommends waiting until mid-March, when the weather in most parts of the UK has warmed sufficiently.
