How to Keep Cedar Hedges Healthy During the Warmer Months

Keeping cedar hedges healthy during the summer months really means giving them enough water. This is especially true for new hedges that have just been planted or are less than two years old. New cedar hedges are especially vulnerable to getting dry. 

Not everyone waters correctly, so we want to spend a little time in today’s blog article to talk about correct watering practices. We will talk about hand watering only as that is usually not restricted when watering restrictions are in place, but always follow the watering restrictions in your jurisdiction. 

New Hedges 

New hedges should be watered twice a week. When we say water, we mean soaking them. A light spray on the top does not help them, does not reach the roots, and will evaporate quickly. If you are watering with your hose, a general rule of thumb is one minute of watering, with the hose bib wide open, per inch of trunk diameter, aimed at the base of the plant. 

This is enough water to thoroughly drench the root system, which encourages root growth that stabilizes and strengthens the plant. 

Established Hedges 

For established hedges that are more than two years old, watering can be once per week when the daily temperature is 20 degrees C or higher. Use the same rule of thumb as outlined above. If the weather is particularly hot, like over 32 degrees, you can water more often, for both established and new hedges, one extra watering time per week should suffice. 

We cannot advise your watering if you are using a sprinkler system or drip irrigation. Hand watering is more reliable and failsafe. Never rely on rain to water your hedges unless it is raining hard for days on end. There is usually much less water being absorbed by the soil during a light rain than we think. Do not water the top of the hedge, just the base.

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.