When do I trim hedge

shellsuit

Is there a difference to a privet and a normal hedge then?

I cut my hedge when it looks untidy, there's no way I'd wait months to cut it!

tangojulie

If you cut a hedge between 23 July and 23 August you won't have to do it again for another 9 months. This is because at that time of year the light levels are such that the growth hormone is inhibited by the sex hormone.

We heard this from lecturers at Sparsholt Agricultural College and initially we were sceptical, however we tried it last year and we haven't yet had to cut our hedges again. Admittedly they could do with a light trim by now but we're hanging on for another few weeks.