Here’s our weekend… Partially entertaining at first then busy with a chainsaw on top of the hedge.
Here’s what I like to listen to whilst sitting on top of the cut off trunk 😉 …
Not a huge but quite overgrown leylandii hedge with narrow access to the back garden.
Hedge reduction and trim on both sides and top.
2 trailers worth of green waste.. there was a bit of a surprise when we started picking up cut,dead branches from inside it..
Turned out whoever trimmed that hedge in the past had tucked all the branches in the crown, so we had like double ther amount of waste to dispose off.
Nevertheless job done, client happy, even very happy..
Summer’s over but weather’s still very good and we’re certainly not slowing down!
In this garden we have:
Tidied up the borders, removed all the vegetation, roots, debris and old membrane. Layed down a new weed membrane and filled up these borders with beautiful white Cotswold stones.
Cut the hedges
Put up a new fence
All done in my favourite neighbourhood – Lower Earley / Reading.
Do you want to make sure your hedge is cut as it should be? Book a hedge cutting specialist @ Tidy Gardens
One simple thing when maintening your hedges as I mentioned some time earlier is a regular cut, but make sure you do it right !
It ain’t a rocket science, but so many people make that mistake.
Don’t cut your hedge in a reversed pyramid shape ! never.
Instead make a slight pyramid shape. That means cutting your hedge in a way that makes the bottom of it slightly wider than the top.
That will allow plenty of sun to get both to bottom and top of your hedge, making it all grow well from top to bottom.
Simples, right ? 😉
It was hot today, I did not take “before photos” sorry.
Here’s a couple of after photos.
Over the last few days we had great fun with some hedges. All of them overgrown and all of them conifers. Grow like mad so most probably leylandii hedges. 3 tall leylandii hedge reductions this week! How lucky we are 😮
Hedge reduction after photos below. Look at the amount of green waste these lovely plants deliver!
When it comes to hedge maintenance, regular hedge cutting / trimming is the single most important thing to do. Regular hedge trim will make your hedge compact and thick right from the bottom.
Why plant a hedge?
Hedge can be a perfect garden boundary, but the wrong one may give you troubles.
hedges provide shelter.
They dumpen noises, reduce strong winds
The obvious they give you privacy.
security but not all hedges. Thorny, prickly varieties like for example:
Common holly
Firethorn
Blackthorn
Barberry
Buckthorn
some hedging plants like photinia give you a beautiful seasonal change.
hedge supports wildlife. Birds love nesting in them as well as eating some berries.
unlike wooden fences, hedges won’t need replacing for many many years and they don’t require anything more than regular hedge cutting.
I can’t stress that too much.
Hedges need your commitment to regular hedge cutting / trimming.
All types of hedging need at least one hedge cut a year. Some varieties more than one.
A regular light prune is much better for you and your hedge then an occasional heavy cut.
Power tools do a quick job if done regularly. High and overgrown hedges often need costly specialist equipment or professional help
to get them back into shape.
You can avoid a lot of problems in future if you choose the right hedging plants for your boundary.
Hedge planting – the right choice.
The many benefits of growing hedges on your boundary depend on selecting the right plants for the situation. If you choose an unsuitable variety you could be faced with a range of problems, especially if the hedge grows too big. It will be difficult to trim and may cut out light to your garden or house.
Its roots could deprive other plants of water and nutrients, and even interfere with paths and buildings.
Oversize hedges will intrude on your garden space, and may cause problems with neighbours.
Oversize hedges can be costly and time consuming to cut back and most conifers, including Leyland and Lawson’s cypress, will not tolerate hard pruning.
If the hedge borders a road or path the local authority could get involved, and insist the hedge is cut back.
Luckily there is a wide range of plants available so it’s not difficult to achieve an attractive healthy hedge – one which will take only as much upkeep as you can manage, and create an attractive feature in your neighbourhood, not a bone of contention.
Growth rate
hedge cutting – how often
Size if unpruned
Foliage
Prickly?
Beech
xxx
Once
Large tree
D/LL
No
Berberis
xx
Once
Large shrub
E
Yes
Cherry laurel
xx
Once
Large shrub
E
No
Cotoneaster
xx
Once
Large shrub
E
No
Escallonia
xx
Twice
Large shrub
E
No
Firethorn
xx
Twice
Large shrub
E
Yes
Hawthorn
xxx
Twice
Small tree
D
Yes
Hazel
xxx
Once
Small tree
D
No
Holly
x
Once
Small tree
E
Yes
Hornbeam
xx
Once
Large tree
D/LL
No
Lawsons cypress
xx
Twice
Large tree
E Conifer
No
Leyland cypress
xxx
Twice
Large tree
E Conifer
No
Portugal laurel
x
Once
Large shrub
E
No
Privet
xx
Three
Large shrub
E
No
Rose
xx
Once
Large shrub
D
Yes
Western red cedar
xx
Twice
Large tree
E Conifer
No
Yew
x
Once
Large tree
E Conifer
No
Key:
Growth rate, for established plants
xxx – over 60cm/year
xx – 30-60cm/year
x – 15-30cm/year
Foliage:
D – deciduous
LL – dead leaves held in winter
E – evergreen
My favourite hedging plant has to be YEW ( taxus )
Classic choice but everlasting and makes an excellent hedge. Doesnt need that much hedge cutting either.
Tidy Gardens can trim/prune most of hedges, but if you are that lucky and have spectacular yew like on a picture above then DON’T call us. Call for a crane ! 🙂
Ann Honeybill October 2020.
Excellent result! I have just had my front lawn returfed and my rear lawn aerated and top dressed by Paul and his team. Paul is always my first choice for any gardening projects and, as always, the work was carried out quickly and efficiently. They work through all weather conditions and make sure everything is tidy before they leave. I highly recommend them.
Ann HoneybillEarley
Pauline O. Tilehurst, August 2013 Just to confirm that we employed gardener – Paul to do some work for us a while ago. The garden was
quite overgrown and unkempt.
This is to confirm that he was hardworking, did a good tidy job, and worked longer than was arranged in order to get the job done to our satisfaction. Would have no quarms about recommending him to anyone else.
Pauline O. Tilehurst, August 2013
Pauline OliverTilehurst
Highly recommended!! My garden has been transformed to it’s former glory thanks to Paul and Co. I can’t believe what he did in such a short space of time. They left the garden spotless, I thought I might have had to rake up a few leaves at least. Many thanks and hope to see you again soon.
J ElliottReading
Mrs. L. Shinfield, September 2013
Paul has been reshaping and clearing my garden borders which has involved removing ivy from a wall, digging up some small trees, taming the climbing plants and clearing and turning over the soil in order to plant or relocate new shrubs.
I can now see the small garden path which had been covered in weeds for years! The shrubs now have a chance to thrive and survive the winter. Throughout, he has been industrious and thorough in tackling each of the problem areas. He is also knowledgeable…
Brenda LettingtonShinfield
Fab job Just to say thank you to Paul for doing a really great job for me, for a good price and at short notice on the weekend before Christmas – was able to put my light up afterwards and it looks awesome. Thanks again Paul! 🙂
Jennifer DawsonReading
Matt Hard working, friendly and a great job! I’d spent some time trying to get quotes for the removal of a huge blackberry bush and some work on an out of control honeysuckle bush but Pawel was the quickest to reply with a time to come and view and a very reasonable quote.
The job was organised very quickly too and in a few hours the huge amount of work was completed.
Would really recommend.
MattBinfield
Value for money Paul and Eddie spent a day clearing our very overgrown garden. They worked really hard for a good price and now I can see our flower beds again and can start planting them with proper plants rather than watch brambles and ivy take over the space.
They also left the garden really tidy, which I appreciated. Have already asked Paul to quote for another job.
NatalieReading
Pam, Lower Earley, Reading, October 2013 I can relax a little, now Paul is helping me to keep my Garden tidy and hopefully improve its quality. Not an easy challenge! Thank you Paul. Pam in Lower Earley
Pam VasirLower Earley
Garden work / Reading - review I would highly recommend TIdy Gardens for your gardening jobs. Paul provided a quote and carried out the work in an excellent manner. Tidy Gardens lives up to its name as there was no evidence of Paul being here apart from a super tidy garden. Our garden waste had to be carried through the house and there wasn’t a leaf or a speck of soil around when I got home. Also Paul didn’t just do what he quoted for. He went the extra mile. Look no further for your garden needs. Amanda Adkins
amanda adkinsReading
Overgrown Cypress Leylandii Despite dreadful weather, Paul arrived punctually and worked tirelessly carrying out excellent work. He left the area perfectly clean and ‘tidy’. I was most impressed and now that my huge hedge has been brought under control I will be hiring Tidy Gardens on a regular basis.
Pauline AndersenReading
Refreshed Pathways and Borders Paul, together with his equally hard working friend, replaced our pathways and borders (as seen in ‘Lets not beat about the bush’.
They worked very hard and I was extremely pleased with the result.
I waited to write my review because I wanted to see what would transpire throughout the different seasons with regards to the plants.
The borders have filled out nicely and the pathways still look new.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Paul and would happily call on him again for any further work.… Read more
Sue RowleyReading
Garden Clearance and Stump Removal Paul and team worked very hard, were knowledgable, considerate and very tidy.
Garden cleared as promised and to a very good standard.
Will be getting the team back to do more!
GrantReading
Eddie O'Hara June 2020.
Very pleased with Paul and the Team. Garden tidy up and new turf put down. Have now used twice and will use again.
Eddie O'HaraDatchet
May 2019 - efficient gardening May 2019
Efficient, polite and great work.
I love the way the garden looks when Tidy Gardens have been! So smart. Highly recommend for polite, knowledgable staff and efficient gardening
Lucy ClaytonCaversham
Dolores Slobodian - June 2019 Hardworking and efficient job.
I hired Tidy Gardens to trim the very overgrown hedges and bushes in my garden. I’m very pleased with the work. Paul and colleague were punctual, polite and worked very hard to complete the job. They tidied up afterwards and I’m very happy with the result. My garden is looking lovely and I would definitely use them again.
Dolores Slobodian - June 2019READING
Very good and reliable service I’m very happy to recommend Paul. He was very smooth and quick, after I phoned him initially, he came around 2 days after to have a look on the work to be carried out, and he gave me a quote on the following day.
I’m very happy with the results, it was a complex task, by first clearing a jungle and landscaping, and 2nd round was surface evening and turfing. I’m amazed by the results I got for my money. No doubt I will call him again if new tasks come up.
Istvan HorvathReading
John October 2019
We asked Paul of Tidy Gardens to carry our some lawn levelling and turfing work following construction of a new patio. All work was carried out in a professional but friendly manner and to our satisfaction. We are very pleased with the result and would recommend the team to other clients.
JohnSonning
Professional, personable, good quality work Paul carried out some work on my property today. It was a relatively small job (extending a path using paving stones) which took him and his colleague about a day to complete. He and his colleague turned up on time and then proceeded to carry out the work as agreed. The quality of work was excellent and he kept me informed to what he was doing, to ensure that the work was being done to my satisfaction. After completion he tidied up and left the premises neat and tidy. I would not hesitate to con… Read more
Ayaz KhanReading
Rex Frnm February 2020,
First Class Service! Paul was quick to respond to us. He did a first class job with his associate in cutting back trees and shrubs in our front and back gardens. Both gardens were left in a neat and tidy condition.
Paul is easy to work. I thoroughly recommend him.
Rex FrnmEarley Reading
Excellent fencing, carefully installed Tidy Gardens replaced about 10 fencing panels that had suffered in the recent storms. The new panels were of a high quality and were installed with great care and attention to detail. Paul and his staff were meticulous in tidying up afterwards, leaving the lawn spotless. My neighbour and I are delighted with our new fence and pleased that we chose Tidy Gardens to fit it for us.
