Stunning, vibrant, lush, and undemanding, a cedar hedge is an ideal choice for anyone who loves trouble-free garden maintenance.  These striking conifers offer up all the curb appeal, natural beauty, and privacy you could ask for without having to spend all your free time on upkeep. To enjoy your cedars for generations to come, here are some tips to keep in mind for proper cedar hedge care.

Planting

When planting cedars for your hedge, begin by digging a trench of the appropriate length, leaving approximately 75 centimetres between each cedar.
This trench should be roughly 80 centimetres wide and 40 centimetres deep. Make sure that the root balls of the trees will be adequately covered once buried.
Add a generous amount of water to the roots and the soil of the trench, then wait for the water to absorb before filling it in.

Watering

A prime concern when maintaining cedar hedges is correct watering. If rain is scarce, be sure to water your new hedge for over an hour at least once a week. The soil should not be soaked but should remain moist. A sign that you are over-watering is if the cedars begin to change colour, while too little water will result in dry leaves.

Pruning

When it comes to healthy, gorgeous cedar hedges, proper pruning is crucial. During the first year, you won’t need to do any trimming. But as your hedge matures, you can start pruning your cedars in the early spring. Begin by pruning your shrubs using the smallest cedar as a height guide. Also, trim hedges back on both sides for shape, and remove any dead branches from the bases of the shrubs.

Fertilizing

Cedars thrive in almost any type of soil, but for optimal growth, you want to make sure the soil is rich in nutrients. Fertilize your cedar hedges three times during the growing season. To do this, use a water-soluble, slow-release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. Fertilizing your hedges in late autumn will also promote new growth in spring.

Protecting your Hedges in Winter

Cedars can stand up to whatever Old Man Winter can whip up. But there are a few things you can do to help protect your hedges during the snowy season. If your area experiences heavy snowfall, remove the precipitation buildup to prevent branches from cracking and breaking. Wrapping exposed hedges will also prevent damage from de-icing salt.

Eliminating Insects

Cedars are famous for repelling insects like mosquitos, cockroaches, termites, fleas, and ticks. But unfortunately, conifers are not impervious to every pest. Cypress tip moths, root weevils, juniper scales, and spider mites can damage leaflets. If you come across yellowing or browning foliage, white cocoons, or loss of plant sap, using a contact insecticide or an insecticidal soap should take care of the problem.

Proper cedar hedge care will result in a lovely and functional addition to your yard, adding natural beauty and greater privacy.

For any additional information or concerns, contact Fraser Valley Cedars, where we will be happy to answer all your questions and give you the help you need.