Monty Don has shared a hedge trimming technique that protects robins and other garden birds, advising that now is the ideal moment to get the shears out. In a 2024 blog post, he explained that hedge cutting is completely safe at this point because "the vast majority of nesting birds have fledged", just before the shift from summer into autumn.
Safe Timing for Hedge Cutting
Gardeners need not worry about disturbing active nests, something strictly prohibited during the official bird nesting season, which runs from March through to August. However, that is not the sole reason to get hedging done before autumn arrives.
Those who prune towards the end of summer can anticipate "results in slower, less vigorous regrowth than a winter trim." The shape trimmed into hedges now is far more likely to be maintained throughout the colder months, as opposed to the fresh unwanted growth that tends to follow cuts made later in the year.
Technique for a Fuller Hedge
Cutting too early, during the peak of summer, can also create issues, with plants more prone to heat stress compared to those trimmed during the cooler days of late September and early October. Before beginning the task, Monty emphasises it is vital to double-check the thicker sections of the hedge for any stragglers from the height of summer that might still be nesting.
He recommends beginning with the sides of the hedge to create a subtle "batter", or outward angle from the top down to the base. This technique helps prevent the lower portion from being starved of light by the bushier upper growth, ensuring sunlight is spread more uniformly for a fuller plant throughout, or as Monty puts it, "fully 'furnished' right down to the ground."
Finishing Touches and Aftercare
Once the sides are complete, turn attention to the top, where a piece of string stretched between two canes serves as a straightforward, dependable guide to maintain an even cut. Gentle shaping and general tidying should be the aim for this month; more severe pruning should be reserved for next year, as it can stimulate tender new growth that is vulnerable to frost damage.
Once the trimming is finished, Monty points out that it is worthwhile mowing up the resulting cuttings and adding them directly to the compost heap, while evergreen clippings should be taken to local councils' green waste facilities.
