Lawn care goes a long way towards making your home look the way you want it to, and hedge trimmers are one of the best ways to maintain your yard. Whether you’re new to the idea or just looking for ways to improve your skills, we’d like to help you maintain your home’s curb appeal. Read on for some tips on how to find the right hedge trimmer and how to use it!

If you want to know more, or you’re ready to buy one of our hedge trimmers for sale, stop on by Morgan Power Equipment in Halifax, Massachusetts. Our friendly and expert staff will help you find the power equipment you need at the price you want!

The Right Equipment

Common sense as it may be, it’s important to remember that not all tasks can be completed by the same equipment. It’s vital to find the right tool for managing your particular hedges. With the wide variety of models and styles available, you should be able to find what you need and more.

Specific Needs

The number one consideration for which hedge trimmer to buy is what your hedges actually look like. Height, width, accessibility, and plant variety all factor in to tell you what equipment you’ll be needing for your work. For example, if you have a large property with tall hedges throughout, you’ll want something with a lot of power that is still portable. If your hedges are up against fences or other structures, you should find something that’s good for precision work and won’t damage either the structure or itself if you miss.

Gas Or Electric?

Gas and electric models have their own ups and downs. A gas model tends to pack a lot of punch and get the work done quickly and efficiently. However, gas models are a bit harder to manage and control, so beginners might want to start with electric. Gas models are also more expensive, smelly, and bad for the environment. Clipping your greens while staying green becomes difficult with gas models.

Electric models are excellent for smaller properties and easier hedges. They tend to be more lightweight and easier to control, as well as cheaper! Some are battery-powered and others have cords. Corded trimmers can be used longer, but have limited range. Battery-powered trimmers can go anywhere, but the batteries have a short charge and long charging times. Unfortunately, electric trimmers aren’t quite as powerful, and whether you’re corded or battery-powered, they have limitations that gas models just don’t have to worry about.

Seasonal Usage

Once you’ve got the tool you need, it can be a bit hard to learn how to use it properly. Some of the considerations you’ll face are weather, climate, and plantlife. Keeping in mind, the plant species and the typical rainfall in your area can help you stay ahead of growth spurts or avoid damaging the plant during a dry spell. 

If it’s a non-flowering plant, you’ll want to avoid trimming unless absolutely necessary, relying instead on reshaping the branches when you can to retain the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for. During warmer months, you’ll generally want to use your trimmer every 6 to 8 weeks, gradually reducing the frequency as weather starts to cool down.

A flowering hedge will change that schedule depending on when it blooms. Hedges that bloom in spring will need to be cut immediately after they bloom. Summer-flowering plants should be trimmed in either the spring or in winter. Young hedges will need more frequent trimming to promote healthy growth and to establish the shape you need. 

Technique

Whether you’re starting out fresh or you’re a veteran trimmer, technique is important. When you start your trim, begin by shearing the interior and any obvious problem areas. Then use your hedge trimmer to refine the shape as needed. Make sure you’re tending each bush individually to keep yourself on track. Remember that your goal is to clear enough space for air and sunlight to pass through to encourage healthy growth. Prune the base near the roots, as well.

To finish up, run your hedge trimmer along the sides of each bush. Take frequent breaks to step back and see how the shape is coming along. Once you’ve got the cut you like, use your shears to make any final adjustments. 

We hope this guide helps you pick and use your hedge trimmer! If you want to see some for yourself, stop by our store. We proudly serve Brockton and Taunton, Massachusetts, so let us help you today!