The Best Time to Trim Hedges | Times, Seasons & Weather Conditions for Hedge Trimming

Whether you're looking at giving a new hedge its first trim or need to snip an old and overgrown hedge back into shape, knowing when to do it can make all the difference. To help lift the lid on the best times or seasons for trimming your hedge, we spoke with Steve from Answerth & Sons to get some insights from his 27 years in the business.

The best time to trim hedges in Australia

When determining the best time to trim hedges, Steve notes that 'Hedging is one of these things that is highly dependent on both season and location. For instance, in Melbourne, we are well placed to cut hedges almost all year round - unless we are having a couple of 40-degree days.' Because Melbourne doesn't often get high temperatures in summer, it is okay to trim your hedge without worrying about harming the plant.

However, Steve mentions that for general hedge trimming across Australia, Autumn and late Spring are typically the ideal times to trim hedges. This is due to climate and temperature being more suited for healthier growth and recovery.

But after that, it really comes down to the type of species you are trimming. Most gardens have a mix of deciduous and evergreen hedges and shrubs. If this is you, it is important to consider the different species you have and how you'll plan your hedge trimming for the year.

Evergreen shrubs: Evergreen shrubs tend to be vigorous growers and respond best to twice-yearly trims. In late spring and summer, remove new growth to encourage denser, more compact hedges. In winter, a maintenance trim is usually a good idea.

Deciduous shrubs: Deciduous shrubs typically have two bouts of growth a year. The first in mid-spring and the second in late summer. The best time to trim deciduous hedges is just after each bout of growth.

Wondering how to trim a hedge in the spring? Check out our spring trimming garden hedges guide for step-by-step instructions.

When not to trim hedges

While hedges are resilient by nature and thrive best when trimmed regularly, trimming them at the wrong times can increase the amount of shock they experience. This can reduce the overall health and growth of the hedge, increasing the risk of disease, infection and damage.

So when exactly should you step away from the hedge trimmer and leave it for another day? Here's when:

• During very hot weather.

• When it's raining/wet.

• Wrong species at the wrong time.

During hot weather

According to Steve, the reason why you don't want to cut back your hedges when it's hot is due to the fact that the heat can cause damage to the new foliage, as well as scorch the open wound. If you cut on a really hot day and scorch the limbs, there's a risk that new growth won't come in as strong or look as bushy. Though this isn't permanent, this type of damage can take a long time for your hedges to recover from.

When it's wet and humid

While an early morning, late night or passing shower won't be an issue, days that are constantly wet, damp and warm can lead to an increase in the growth of fungi and fungal spores. Moist, humid weather prevents cuts from healing properly and makes it possible for fungal spores and bacteria to set in - resulting in an increased risk of disease and damage to the hedge.

Species-specific timings

Steve mentions that trimming and pruning hedges and shrubs is species-dependent and not a one size fits all scenario. With box hedges for example, "you really want to wait until after Spring for that new growth to harden off before you cut them - it can even be best to trim after November, just before the heat of Summer." Knowing which are your evergreen and deciduous plants will help ensure you trim at the correct times.

The best way to maintain hedges

Hedges tend to respond best to a mix of cutting and trimming techniques at different times of the year. Tall and wide hedges may require a different hedge trimmer than a short and narrow one. Battery-powered hedge trimmers make the job a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for both you and the properties surrounding. With zero exhaust emissions, reduced noise levels and fewer vibrations, a battery hedge trimmer gets the job done with as few interruptions as possible.

Tall and wide hedges will benefit from a telescopic far-reach hedge trimmer like the 120iTK4-H, while shoulder height hedges can be easily tamed with the 115iHD45. Professional green space and gardening businesses will appreciate the power and performance of the 520iHT4, along with the compact 520iHD60.

Find your perfect hedge trimmer

With a wide variety of battery-power and petrol hedge trimmers ranging from homeowner to professional options, finding a hedge trimmer that fits your needs is simple. Not quite sure which one is right for you? Your local authorised dealer will be more than happy to help, demonstrating the different models and capabilities.

View the full range of Husqvarna hedge trimmers online, compare between the different models and add your favourite to your cart to collect in-store.