How to Keep Your Hedges Healthy During a Melbourne Winter — From the Team at Benchmark Gardening

At Benchmark Gardening, we know that Melbourne winters can be tough on hedges. Cold winds, damp soil, and the occasional frost all combine to make this season a real test for even the hardiest plants. But with the right winter care, your hedges can stay strong, healthy, and ready to thrive come spring.

Here’s our expert guide to keeping your hedges in great shape through the colder months.

🌿 1. Prune with Purpose (But Go Easy)

Winter isn’t the time for heavy pruning—that’s a job for late spring or early autumn—but light trimming to remove dead or damaged branches is a smart move. It helps prevent disease and keeps your hedge looking neat without triggering new growth that might struggle in the cold.

Benchmark Tip: Always use clean, sharp tools, and if you're unsure where to cut, we're just a click away to help.

💧 2. Don't Let Your Hedges Drown

Melbourne’s winter rainfall can cause water to pool around hedge roots, which can lead to rot or fungal issues. Check your garden after heavy rain—if the water sticks around, you might need better drainage.

Need help improving drainage? We’ve fixed more soggy garden beds than we can count. Book a consultation through our website and let’s sort it out.

🌱 3. Mulch Makes the Difference

A good layer of mulch keeps your hedge roots insulated, retains moisture (without waterlogging), and helps suppress weeds. We recommend bark mulch or composted straw—just don’t pile it up against the base of your plants.

Not sure how much mulch is enough? Benchmark Gardening offers seasonal mulch top-ups—head to our Services pageto book yours.

❄️ 4. Watch for Frost

Frost can sneak up in the early morning and damage the tender parts of your hedges. If you’ve planted new or frost-sensitive species, cover them with a frost cloth overnight when temps are forecast to drop.

Pro tip: Avoid pruning frost-damaged leaves until the risk of frost has passed.

🌿 5. Fertilise Gently

While your hedges won’t need a strong feed during winter, a mild, organic tonic like seaweed solution can give them a little health boost. Avoid anything high in nitrogen—save that for spring when growth kicks back in.

🐛 6. Keep an Eye Out for Pests

Damp and cool weather can attract pests like scale, mealybugs, and aphids. If you notice sticky leaves, discolouration, or tiny bugs, act early. Eco-friendly solutions work best when caught quickly.

Don’t want to deal with pest patrol? Leave it to us. Just visit our Contact page and let us know what’s going on.

🌼 7. Plan Now, Thrive Later

Winter is the perfect time to plan any big hedge work—like replacements, shaping, or even installing new screening hedges. By the time spring arrives, you’ll be ready to roll.

Not sure what variety suits your space? Our team is happy to recommend low-maintenance options that thrive in Melbourne’s unique climate.

Let Us Take Care of It

Winter hedge care can be time-consuming and easy to overlook. If you'd rather stay warm inside while your garden gets the TLC it needs, let Benchmark Gardening handle it for you.

👉 Visit www.benchmarkgardening.com.au to learn more about our seasonal garden maintenance packages, or book a hedge assessment today.

Let’s keep your garden looking its best—rain, wind or shine. 🌿