Once the hedge has been planted and the plants have grown well, they begin to sprout vigorously and need to be shaped regularly. This means that the green fence grows nice and dense and offers effective privacy protection. However, you should not grab the scissors arbitrarily and pay attention to the weather when pruning.
Is it OK to trim a hedge when it rains?
Cutting a hedge in the rain is not recommended as the wet cut surfaces heal poorly and can attract pests. It is better to trim the hedge on a cloudy day, with moderate temperatures and without heavy rain, cold or sunlight.
Unfavorable: rainy weather
Rainy days are unsuitable for clean hedge trimming because the moisture makes the cut surfaces heal poorly. Many pests love exactly these weather conditions and if you cut the wet hedge, an unwanted infestation can occur that permanently damages the plants.
Cat and sun should also be avoided
A warm summer day literally invites you to work in the garden. However, if there is strong sunlight, you should avoid pruning the hedge. There is a risk that leaves and needles will turn brown as the parts of the plant that are now exposed to the sun will wilt. The green enclosure will then look unattractive for quite some time.
Frost days are also unfavorable. If the temperature falls below -5 degrees Celsius, the cuts will not heal properly. Since the branches are very brittle when it is cold, they are crushed when cutting and the cutting result is not very satisfactory.
Which weather conditions are ideal for trimming hedges?
There at:
- Rainy weather,
- Cold,
- strong sunlight
should not be cut, a cloudy day with moderate temperatures is optimal for this care measure.
The first cut should be done shortly before spring shoots. Therefore, February is very suitable for this work, in accordance with the Federal Nature Conservation Act. However, you should choose a frost-free day.
Careful topiary is advisable around St. John's Day on June 24th. Now you can compensate for deviations in the shape. However, be sure to be considerate of the wildlife and do not cut in areas where birds breed.
In the hot summer months, give the hedge a rest and then use the scissors again in the fall. To ensure that the plants get through the winter well, remove shoots that are no longer vital.
Tip
Since some hedge plants are poisonous and can cause severe skin irritation, you should wear long-sleeved outerwear and gloves (€9.00 on Amazon) when carrying out any pruning work. The right clothing also protects against painful scratches from twigs and thorns.