Question:
Despite trimming it every year, our Privet hedge remains over eight feet tall, with most new growth at the top. What steps can we take to reduce the height and promote more growth to fill in the lower gaps?Answer:
- It’s common for a tall hedge to develop gaps or be sparse in certain areas.
- The goal of a hedge is to create a barrier as quickly as possible. Once it reaches the desired height, it’s assumed that the lower part will fill in on its own. Unfortunately, the taller the hedge, the less likely this is to happen with just annual pruning.
- Typically, pruning three to four times a year, starting with the first flush of growth in spring, is standard practice. Lateral growth is essential for maintaining a dense hedge. While the hedge is growing, it's recommended to fertilize after each shearing with an all-purpose fertilizer to encourage more growth. Once the hedge is established, a spring feeding is usually sufficient.
- Ideally, you should first develop the lower part of the hedge by keeping it at a fixed height. After it has filled in, you can raise the height until reaching your desired level. This rarely happens because we’re often too impatient for the barrier to form. Another reason for gaps at the bottom is that the plants are spaced too far apart. Planting closer together is beneficial in this case.
- Here's what I would do now: determine your desired height and prune back to that point. Spring is a good time to do this since growth is starting. To fill in larger gaps at the bottom, plant a few more new plants. This is the fastest way to fill these areas, followed by fertilizing the entire row. The final step is to trim the hedge once a quarter.
- Usually, hedges are pruned with straight sides, but over time, the bottom can become shaded. Increasing light involves tapering the hedge into a trapezoid, with the narrowest section at the top. The lack of light is another reason the lower parts of hedges tend to thin out.
- Another option is to add new plants at the base in the gap area.
Question:
Is it okay to add the contents of a paper shredder to our compost pile?Answer:
- Using shredded paper from a paper shredder in a compost pile is completely fine. Along with straw and cardboard, I recommend it as a substitute for brown leaves, especially during summer.
- Plain black-and-white newsprint (non-glossy) is generally safe for compost piles. Color non-glossy ink contains a small amount of toxins, but it can still be used. Glossy inserts should be avoided.
- Shredded paper can also serve as mulch. I suggest spreading the paper over an area, watering it to eliminate air pockets, and then covering it with traditional mulches. You can also do this with sheets of newspaper, cardboard, or a combination of both. Ultimately, aim for a two- to three-inch layer. This should be applied to the canopy, but not to the trunk.
- In addition to conserving moisture, mulching prevents weed seeds from germinating.