Monty Don has urged UK gardeners to hold off on trimming hedges until late summer to protect nesting birds such as robins, house sparrows, blackbirds, and wrens.
Why Timing Matters
The Gardeners' World presenter emphasized that spring, especially April, is the worst time to cut hedges because young birds are still in the nest. He advised that the best times for birds are winter and late summer when chicks have fledged.
Legal Protection for Birds
The Royal Horticultural Society reminds gardeners that disturbing nesting birds is illegal under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. It is an offense to damage or destroy a nest while it is in use or being built.
Monty Don's Broader Advice
Don has also cautioned against mowing lawns too early in cold weather, noting that grass does not thrive in low temperatures. He recommends waiting until mid-March in most UK regions.
Monty Don, a renowned horticulturist and author of over 25 books, has presented Gardeners' World since 2003. His upcoming series, Monty Don's Rhineland Gardens, is set for 2026.
