Alan Titchmarsh has urged gardeners to behave now, revealing why late winter is the best second to finish one particular gardening job
This straightforward job is necessary to finish within the late winter (Picture: Getty) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
Gardeners are being urged to seize their shears now, as Alan Titchmarsh declares it the “excellent time” to sort out a easy however important backyard job. In a current TikTok video, the horticulture professional defined how late winter is a perfect time for pruning deciduous hedges (those who shed their leaves yearly) earlier than birds start nesting.
He defined that hedges which lose their leaves will be safely in the reduction of now as a result of “the birds have not fairly began nesting but and that is important”. As soon as nesting season begins, nonetheless, he warned that gardeners ought to “keep away” to keep away from disturbing wildlife. In accordance with the RSPB, the principle chook nesting season runs from March to August, and it advises checking rigorously for energetic nests earlier than finishing up any hedge work. Underneath the UK Authorities’s Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s thought of an offence to deliberately harm or destroy an energetic nest.
Titchmarsh added that evergreen hedges require a really completely different strategy, noting that yew is finest clipped in September or October as soon as its development spurt has completed.
Chopping on the proper time helps hedges keep “crisp” by way of winter and into the spring season when development resumes.
Relating to situations to keep away from finishing this job, he suggested avoiding moist climate, notably with field hedging. The Royal Horticultural Society says field blight spreads extra simply in damp situations, with fungal spores transmitted by water on folliage and instruments.
Frost days also needs to be averted, warns Titchmarsh, as freshly reduce stems will be broken by the freezing temperatures. The RHS explains that pruning on the right time encourages wholesome regrowth, improves air circulation and lightweight penetration, and reduces the chance of illness.
Security is one other key consideration, the horticulture professional careworn, describing hedge trimmers as “very, very sharp instruments”.
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He recommends protecting gear together with gloves, eye safety and ear defenders, warning that even small flying particles may end up in a visit to A&E.
Pruning could look like a easy job, however consultants say it performs a significant position in plant well being and backyard look. Carried out accurately and on the proper time, it retains hedges dense, tidy and thriving effectively into the rising season – however watch out for nests.
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