4 Lower Mainland Cedar Hedge Maintenance Tips

We are Pacific West Cedars, farmers, suppliers, and experts on hedging shrubs for the Vancouver area. If you live on the Lower Mainland and have cedar hedges, then this blog article is for you. When we say “cedar hedge” we do not mean true cedars of the genus Cedrus, but rather shrubs that look like cedars and are part of the Thuja genus. Today, we would like to give you some tips for maintaining your cedar hedges. 

Watering

 Watering is probably the single most important thing to know about cedar hedging. Thuja cedars need lots of water when they are first planted, definitely for the first summer or two, during the dry season on the Lower Mainland. We have distinct rainy and dry seasons, and you absolutely must water your hedges thoroughly in the dry summer months, and deeply. 

Water twice a week the first summer and once a week the second summer. After that, it is up to you, but your cedars will grow faster and look better if you continue to water them throughout their lives during our hot summers. 

Mulch 

Our next tip is to mulch your cedars. Mulching serves several purposes. It keeps the roots warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and keeps water from evaporating from the surface of the dirt. A thick three to four (3-4) inch mulch will also deter weeds which compete with your hedge for nutrients from the soil. Your cedar hedging will perform better with a good mulching. 

Pruning 

If you like the look of a neat hedge and want to prune, do it once a year during late June or July after you already have most of the current year’s growth. It is not necessary to prune much and often people prefer a more natural and shaggier look. 

Fertilizer 

If you want to fertilize, choose something for conifers and evergreens, and fertilize once a year in the spring. On the Lower Mainland, this would be in April, when plants are waking up but it is not too hot and there is still plenty of rain. Water in your fertilizer so it goes down deep into the root system. 

Cedar hedges do great, here, on the Lower Mainland. They grow fast, they are evergreen, and are terrific choices for privacy and a wind break. For new cedar hedging, give us a call on the Lower Mainland at (778) 241-5664. This is our business and area of expertise.

Pacific West Cedars, based in Langley, British Columbia, farms, supplies, and installs cedar hedging on the Lower Mainland. They offer two kinds of cedars plus boxwoods: Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), and Emerald Cedars (Thuja occidentalis “Smaragd”). They work with landscapers, contractors, and also directly with the public. 

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about cedars, we encourage you to call us at (778) 241-5664.