Hedge and grass cutting

Whether you are dealing with a small suburban plot or a larger rural garden, regular professional care prevents overgrowth that can become difficult and expensive to rectify later. Expert gardeners bring the right tools and horticultural knowledge to manage different species correctly, protecting your investment in your landscape.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Lawn Mowing: Cutting grass to a consistent, healthy height based on the season and grass type.
• Edging and Strimming: Tidying lawn borders, fence lines, and around obstacles where a mower cannot reach.
• Hedge Trimming: Shaping and reducing the height of hedges to maintain privacy and aesthetic form.
• Health Checks: Inspecting for signs of disease, pests, or rot before work commences.
• Wildlife Inspection: Checking for nesting birds or protected species to ensure legal compliance.
• Waste Management: Collecting cuttings, clearing paths, and either mulching on-site or removing green waste for disposal.

Typical Costs

Pricing for garden maintenance often depends on the size of the area, the current state of growth, and how much green waste needs to be removed. Most UK gardeners charge either a flat rate for a specific job or an hourly rate for ongoing maintenance.

Factors that will increase your quote include difficult access (e.g., carrying tools through a house), extremely tall hedges requiring scaffolding, and the presence of invasive species like brambles or ivy that require more time to clear.

How Long Does It Take?

• Standard Lawn Mow (Medium): 30 to 60 minutes, including edging.
• Routine Hedge Trim (6ft height): 1 to 2 hours depending on the length of the boundary.
• Full Garden Maintenance Visit: 2 to 4 hours for a typical suburban garden.
• Overgrown Hedge Restoration: 4 to 8 hours (may require a two-person team).

DIY or Professional?

While mowing a small, flat lawn is a straightforward DIY task, hedge cutting often requires professional intervention for safety and quality. High hedges necessitate stable platforms and industrial-grade trimmers that are heavy and dangerous for inexperienced users.

Professional gardeners carry Public Liability Insurance and have the expertise to avoid "scalping" lawns or "browning" hedges by cutting too deep into the old wood.

Furthermore, professionals are well-versed in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, ensuring you don't inadvertently break the law by disturbing nesting birds during the spring and summer months.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Insurance: Ensure they have at least £1 million in Public Liability Insurance to cover accidental damage.
• Waste Carrier License: If they are taking your clippings away, they must legally hold a waste carrier license from the Environment Agency.
• Equipment Quality: Ask if they use petrol, battery, or corded tools; professional-grade battery tools are quieter and better for early morning visits.
• Red Flags: Be wary of anyone offering to "topp" a hedge during peak nesting season without a thorough inspection or those who don't offer a written quote.

Questions to ask:

• Do you charge by the hour or a fixed price for the whole job?
• Is green waste removal included in the price or an extra charge?
• What is your policy if it rains on the scheduled day?
• Can you provide references or photos of similar hedges you have shaped?

UK Regulations

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: It is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. This usually restricts heavy hedge cutting between March and August.
• Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 (High Hedges): Part 8 allows councils to intervene in disputes over evergreen hedges over 2 metres tall that block light. Professionals can help ensure your hedge stays within legal limits.
• Waste Duty of Care: As a homeowner, you are responsible for ensuring any trader taking waste away is properly licensed.

Common Problems

• Nesting Birds: Starting a job only to find a nest can halt work for weeks. Always check thoroughly before the gardener arrives.
• Poor Timing: Cutting certain hedges (like Conifers) too late in the year can leave them vulnerable to frost damage.
• Scalping the Lawn: Setting the mower blades too low during a heatwave can kill the grass; a professional will adjust height based on weather.
• Hidden Obstacles: Stones, toys, or thick wire hidden in long grass can damage expensive machinery and cause injury.
• Access Issues: Not having a side gate or clear path for a wide mower can lead to delays and increased labour costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my lawn be cut?

During the peak growing season (April to September), once every 10–14 days is ideal. In early spring and autumn, once every three weeks is usually sufficient.

Can you cut my hedge if there are birds nesting?

No. If a nest is active, work must stop immediately by law. Most gardeners will perform a "light trim" only after a thorough check, but heavy reduction is best left for autumn or winter.

Do I need to be home when the gardener visits?

Not usually, provided the gardener has clear access to the garden and any pets are secured indoors. Most gardeners will send an invoice electronically after the work is complete.

What happens to the grass clippings?

You can choose to have them mulched (left on the lawn to provide nutrients), put in your own green waste bin, or removed by the gardener for a fee.

Will the gardener work in the rain?

Light drizzle is usually fine, but heavy rain can damage the lawn (compaction) and make hedge cutting dangerous. Most gardeners will reschedule if the weather is poor.

Why is my hedge turning brown after a trim?

This often happens with Conifers if they are cut back beyond the "green" growth into the old wood. Most evergreens will not regrow from old wood, which is why professional shaping is vital.