Gardeners may need to add an extra hedge trim to their autumn to-do list this year, following an unusually warm growing season. After months of exceptional heat, dry weather, and several heatwaves, many plants slowed their growth during the height of summer.
This year has seen the UK experience five separate heatwaves, and this summer has been declared the hottest since records began. With temperatures now starting to fall and rainfall returning, many plants are likely to be springing back into life with a fresh flush of growth.
Why an extra trim may be needed
That could mean gardeners need to get their trimmers back out sooner than expected. Hedges that would normally have had their final trim by this point are likely to be looking noticeably overgrown again.
Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra Garden Machinery, said: “We’re seeing a very unusual growing season this year, and gardeners shouldn’t necessarily assume that their hedge has finished growing simply because we’re into autumn. The prolonged warmth has extended the growing season, while the return of moisture following the dry summer can encourage hedges to put on a late flush of growth. For some, that could mean they need an additional tidy-up later in the year than gardeners would normally expect.”
Check the hedge before cutting
“We recommend taking a look at your hedge rather than relying solely on the calendar. If you’re seeing lots of fresh green shoots and the hedge has started to lose its shape again, it may be time for another light trim. However, where a hedge is still showing signs of drought stress, such as brown, crispy or prematurely dropping foliage, it’s better to allow it time to recover rather than removing large amounts of growth.”
Cobra is a major UK lawncare brand launched in 2013 by the Nottingham-based distributor Henton & Chattell. Cobra said it offers the UK’s largest and most comprehensive range of powered lawnmowers engineered to deliver exceptional lawn performance for gardens and landscapes of every size and is backed by Henton & Chattell’s 95 years of garden machinery expertise.
Five tips for autumn hedge trimming
Mr Chaloner has also shared five tips for autumn hedge trimming:
- Check the hedge before you cut - Look for signs of drought stress, pests and disease as well as new growth. If the foliage is healthy and there are vigorous new shoots, it may be ready for a light tidy. A hedge that is still visibly stressed may need more time to recover.
- Don't automatically take off a large amount - If your hedge has grown less than usual this year, there may be less material to remove. Aim to maintain its shape rather than trying to compensate for missed cuts with one aggressive prune. Regular trimming generally removes young growth rather than old wood.
- Keep the right shape - For a formal hedge, keep the base slightly wider than the top so that sunlight can reach the lower branches. This helps prevent bare patches developing towards the base.
- Check carefully for wildlife - Always inspect the hedge before trimming. Although the main bird nesting season is generally March to August, nesting can continue beyond this period. If you discover an active nest, postpone cutting until it is no longer in use.
- Make clearing up part of the job - Don't leave piles of hedge clippings sitting on the lawn or borders. Smaller trimmings can be composted or put into green waste, while larger woody material can be shredded and reused as garden material.
