Monty Don urges us to cut hedges in July – this is why, and how to protect birds nesting in them

While the thought of cool autumnal mornings may seem distant for many,they remain on Monty Don’s mind this July. Why? Because the preservation of our hedges from future frosts begins at the peak of summer. 

Monty’s garden ideas not only help us preserve our hedges but also reassure us of the best time to trim without harming the birds who nest amongst the greenery. In his recent blog post (opens in new tab), Monty reveals that with this advice timing is everything.

He explains that July is the safest time to approach our hedges, as young birds will have flown their nests, meaning they are safe to cut. 

'A trim now will allow any subsequent regrowth to harden off before possible autumnal frosts,’ he says. 

The Monty Don fans amongst us may already follow his advice from an episode of BBC's Gardener's World (opens in new tab), which also addresses bird safety. Monty pointed to advice from the RSPB (opens in new tab), suggesting we should refrain from cutting between March and August. 

'That's because birds are still nesting; there are young in the nest. If you start getting a hedge cutter out, you're almost certain to disturb them, and the results will not be good,' Monty shares. 

But what makes this tip different? In this case, Monty is referring to small birds, who usually leave their nest in June. Therefore, it is unlikely that baby birds will remain in your hedge at this point in July.  And, don't forget to feed birds during the colder months ahead. Feeding birds in winter is essential for keeping our feathered friends healthy during the coldest season

When chasing that hedge cutting technique, Monty suggests starting by cutting the hedge's sides while making sure the bottom of it remains wider than the top, whatever the size. 

‘This "batter" allows light to reach the bottom half and ensures full, healthy foliage down to the ground. Then cut the top, using string as a guide to keeping it straight and level. If it is an informal hedge, curve the top over, so it is rounded,’ Monty explains.

However, Monty’s tips are not for every hedge. He warns us to step away from the shears if we have a hedge that needs revitalizing.

‘If you have an overgrown hedge, now is the best time to reduce it in size, whereas if you have a hedge that needs reinvigorating, wait until winter and trim it hard when it is dormant. This will promote more vigorous growth next spring,’ he says.

After giving your hedge a healthy trim Monty offered some eco-friendly garden ideas for reusing cuttings and putting hedge trimmings to good use. ‘If the hedge trimmings are not prickly, they will be soft enough to chop up with a mower and added as a useful contribution to the compost heap,’ he says.

Now is the time to trim your hedges safely, and make sure your garden edging ideas are still flourishing come October.