Staying trim in lockdown

UNLIKE lockdown haircuts, keeping your hedges trim and tidy is one thing that doesn’t need leaving to professionals.

It’s the time of year when young birds have left their nests, so boundaries can be cut safely without causing disruption.

A summer trim will let any subsequent regrowth harden off before autumn’s frosts arrive.

Using shears or a trimmer, aim to lightly cut the new growth in line with the hedge’s shape.

Try to keep the base slightly wider than the top regardless of the height. This allows light to reach all angles and guarantees you’ll have full foliage down to the ground.

When it comes to the top, create a guide by tying string between two canes or posts to ensure level trimming.

Collect any cuttings and add them to your compost heap – if they’re soft and not too prickly, they can be chopped up with a mower.

Larger branches can be kept and later used as kindling or firewood.

Finish by applying a 5cm layer of mulch, such as bark chips, around the base – avoiding the stems – to keep the roots moist and help prevent any weed growth.

It’s best to tackle overgrown hedges now, whereas any that need reviving should be left until the winter.

As well as encouraging healthy growth, a well-trimmed hedge is a safe home for wildlife, including our feathered friends.

Most types offer shelter and are corridors for movement, while some, such as the common yew and hawthorn, provide berries and nectar, too.

Find more tips on how to keep your outdoors in shape and attract wildlife at diy.com.