Key takeaways
- Spring: trim hedges once new growth firms up, weed early and mulch before summer.
- Autumn: tidy summer growth, plant new hedges and prune apples and pears in winter.
- Trim myrtle-family plants like lilly pilly and pōhutukawa in winter, not in warm, humid weather.
Spring (September to November)
- Hedges: give most evergreen hedges their first main trim in late spring, once the new growth has firmed up. This sets the shape for summer. When to trim your hedge.
- Overgrown hedges: spring is the time to start cutting back an overgrown evergreen hedge in stages. How to cut back an overgrown hedge.
- Weeds: get on top of them early, before they flower and set seed.
- Mulch: spread mulch on beds once the soil has warmed, to hold moisture through summer.
- Pests: watch for psyllids on the new growth of lilly pilly and pittosporum.
- Nesting birds: check hedges before trimming and work around any active nests.
Autumn (March to May)
- Hedges: give hedges a tidy trim to clean up summer growth before things slow down for winter.
- Stone fruit: prune plums, peaches and apricots after harvest in late summer or early autumn, not in winter. When to prune fruit trees.
- Planting: autumn is a good time to plant new hedges and shrubs in Auckland, as the soil is still warm and the rain returns. Best hedge plants for Auckland.
- Leaves: rake up fallen leaves from lawns and paths, and compost them.
- Clean up: cut back finished perennials and clear out tired summer plants.
Over winter
- Prune apples and pears while they're dormant.
- Trim lilly pilly and other myrtle hedges between June and August to reduce the risk of myrtle rust.
- Prune pōhutukawa in late autumn or winter. When and how to prune pōhutukawa.
Want it done for you?
A seasonal tidy is one of the easiest ways to keep a garden manageable. I can trim the hedges, cut back the beds and take all the green waste away in one visit. See garden clean ups.