Dictionary Definition of an hedge: A hedge is a living fence made of closely planted bushes, which, as they grow and get trimmed and shaped, form a wall of green.
I only gave them an haircut in March. Look how unruly they have become already.
Talking of haircuts. You can take your dog to be groomed and clipped but you can't go in a barbers to get an haircut at the moment. It could only happen in Ireland.😊
I USUALLY trim my hedges five times a year. Living on the Gulf stream they (who are "they?") say we get ten months of growth. I have decided to ask what you think on the matter folks.
The birds are currently nesting in outbuildings, nest boxes, trees and hedges. I once found a Robin's nest in an old kettle that had no lid. Do you think birds would nest in a roadside hedge? I 'm not so sure.
Do you think I should leave my unruly hedges until June or should I get out the petrol hedge trimmer and give them a trim?
I live in the countryside next to the sea. Is it so important to have your garden manicured like a bowling green or a billiard table?
Where do you stop? Do we really need to mow the lawns every week?
I wonder if Kate Bush trims her bush regularly. Perhaps she hires a man to do it. My vote is for you tidying up your hedges but I know what you mean about manicured gardens. I like a bit of wildness - not that OCD obsession with neatness.
ReplyDeleteMy friend use to call her Kate's Bush. The west of Ireland climate is so wet and mild and hedges always need cutting. Monty Don recently spoke about the Male obsession of the manicured lawn and its weekly haircut. I would rather listen to a hedge trimmer, strimmer or a mower before an Hoover.
DeleteWe all need a haircut, even the dogs here. Getting too hot. Wait till June to cut your hedge .June's only a few months off.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of growth if you have to trim 5 times a year. You almost have a Portuguese climate. Inside and out of Portugal
You could be right Linda. I saw silage being cut in April. It makes you wonder about the hares and Corncrakes nesting. It gets very hot and wet. Almost tropical growing conditions which can also breed potato blight. I think I will wait a few weeks.
DeleteI would NOT trim the hedges right now. Of course that being said, robins here can raise 3 clutches over the course of a summer. Birds DO nest in hedges, and I would leave them be as much as possible. Manicured hedges are not mandatory in my mind. I like the wildness. Here, however, in town, you can be ticketed for not keeping your lawn mowed if your neighbors complain.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know Robin's could raise three clutches Debby. I read somewhere wood pigeons can lay their eggs in September. You make work for ever when you plant an hedge. There's a lot to be said for stone walls. They make a micro climate in the garden and don't need the same maintenance. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWe don't cut back our hedges until all the birds have finished nesting. I quite like the shaggy look.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer to leave the lawn to grow a bit too, especially when there are daisies and other wild flowers emerging. It always seems a shame to me to mow their pretty heads off.
I agree JayCee. Dandelions and daisies attract bees and other wildlife. I don't mind a few buttercups either. The Fuschia which originates in Chile grows profusely here in Ireland. I am sure it does I the Isle of Man? I have also seen it growing in Devon and Cornwall. Yep you're right. The shaggy look is good.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the hair cut problem - 'rise and shine' as they say. There is big movement to stop cutting lawns and leave then ti nature - it is much better for wildlife... mmm.. good excuse, I say.
ReplyDeleteHi Mark. Grass does not grow on a busy street.😀 My hairline is receding. I wish it was reseeding. Yes gardening is become wildlife friendly and there's also the noise pollution that we all encounter in every part of our lives. My pet hate Hoovers come to mind. I often lift the height on my mower why we have a dry or hot spell. Not that this occurs much in the Emeral Isle. I think once a fortnight is about right to mow the lawn. Your petrol goes further too. Me being a tight wad Gardener.
ReplyDeleteWe have really unruly hedges. Husband does his best, but we tend to get a team in for a day every four or five years to cut them down and back. Our entire garden would revert to wilderness if we let it!
ReplyDeleteHi the veg artist. Sounds like a big job if it takes a full day to tackle the hedges. You give yourself a job for life when you plant an hedge.
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