If you’re reading this article, you’re probably wondering whether you can leave your hedge clippings on the ground instead of trying to collect and remove them every single time (which is annoyingly time-consuming and expensive to dispose of at your local tip). The answer is: absolutely, yes!
Dropping your hedge clippings on the ground—also known as the chop and drop method—is not only acceptable but also a brilliant way to improve your garden’s health. It’s a natural, low-effort technique that mimics how nature works to create thriving ecosystems—and it’s perfect for hedges. By leaving the clippings where they fall, you create opportunities to nourish the soil, protect it from harsh conditions, and reduce waste. Here’s why you should do it and how to get it right.
Instead of raking clippings, you can ‘chop and drop’ them for mulch. Naringa™ Westringia hybrid ‘WES01’ PBR. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/naringa-westringia-is-the-best-medium-tall-hedging-plant-available-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
Why Chop and Drop Works for Hedges
Hedges are hardworking plants that define spaces, provide privacy, and shelter wildlife, so giving something back to them in return makes sense. The chop and drop method has a range of benefits that do just that.
- Building Biomass
When you drop hedge clippings onto the ground, they begin to decompose, adding organic matter to the soil. This layer acts as a natural mulch, locking in moisture and shielding the ground from temperature extremes. For hedges growing in Australia’s often harsh climate, this mulch layer is invaluable. It not only helps the hedge roots stay cool and hydrated but also suppresses weeds, meaning less effort for you when it comes to maintenance. - Feeding Soil Biology
Dropping clippings where they fall promotes soil life. Beneficial microbes, fungi, and earthworms thrive on decaying organic matter, breaking it down into rich humus that improves soil fertility. A thriving soil ecosystem directly supports the health and growth of your hedge, creating a self-sustaining system, all without lifting an extra finger. Fresh clippings are full of nitrogen, which helps them break down much more quickly than dry bark chips which are mainly carbon. - Reduced Waste
Why bag up your clippings, cart them to the bin, and have them hauled off to a landfill when you can repurpose them on-site? Dropping hedge cuttings eliminates the need for waste disposal entirely. It’s less work for you, kinder to your wallet, and much better for the environment, as it reduces emissions associated with transporting and processing green waste. (Even if you decide not to do the chop and drop method, you should still be composting instead of treating clippings as waste) - Time and Cost Savings
Leaving clippings behind saves both time and money. There’s no raking up, bagging, or carting away waste. You also reduce or eliminate the need to buy and spread imported mulch, saving you on material costs while still giving your hedges all the protection and nutrients they need.
- Outcrowding Weeds
Most weed seeds can’t germinate when there’s a layer of mulch thick enough on the ground; generally mulch that’s 100mm deep will prevent almost all weeds from taking hold. Because hedge clippings are essentially just a fine mulch (initially full of moisture which helps it break down more quickly than bark chips), your clippings can save you work hand-weeding or using chemical pesticides. Keep in mind that it will also smother desirable plants such as ground-covers and lawn, too!
Half your hedging work by cutting out the clean-up. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/home-garden-concept-hedge-trimmer-action-2208158765
The Right Way to Chop and Drop for Hedges
Using the chop and drop method for hedges is straightforward, but there are a few tips to ensure success.
- Avoid Crowding Plant Bases
While dropping clippings is fantastic for your hedge, you’ll want to avoid piling them up too close to the base of plants. A thick, compacted mat of plant material can reduce airflow around the stems or trunk. This can create conditions for fungal diseases to thrive, so spread the clippings evenly and keep them a few inches away from the hedge’s base to maintain airflow. - Size Matters
Hedge clippings, particularly fine material like twigs and leaves, break down quickly and work beautifully as mulch. Larger woody stems or branches might take more time to decompose, which can be good, too. If you’re trying to rapidly improve soil health and you know you’ve got a steady supply of organic material to come in the future, cutting clippings into smaller pieces is a good idea. Alternatively, repurposing larger sections as garden edging, seating or habitat structures for wildlife can spark joy. - Keep It Balanced
If you’re pruning a particularly dense hedge or cutting back multiple times a year, make sure you don’t end up with too much mulch smothering the ground. Spread the clippings out across the area or use any excess elsewhere in your garden. I find that 10cm is about as much mulch as I ever want above the ground.
Is Chop and Drop Always a Good Idea?
For the most part, yes! However, this method might not suit every hedge. For highly manicured or formal hedges in visible front gardens and high profile public spaces, collecting the clippings may look tidier, and that’s perfectly fine. Hopefully you’re composting them instead of paying the tip. But for hedges in less visible areas, such as those lining fences, rural properties, or even roadside verges, chop and drop is an unbeatable, sustainable solution.
Chop and drop works for strappy plants, too! Some can tolerate an extremely hard cut to the ground like this, while others prefer a gentler cut up to 15cm above the ground. Dianella ‘DCNC3’ PBR Intended Trade Name Baby Breeze™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/baby-breeze-dianella-2/
Nature’s Way Is the Best Way
Nature has been dropping its ‘clippings’ basically forever—think of forest floors blanketed with leaves and sticks that decompose into nutrients. The chop and drop method mirrors this timeless process. By letting your hedge clippings stay, you’re giving back to the ecosystem and creating a healthier, more sustainable landscape—without any extra effort!
Next time you’re out pruning, leave the rake and bin bags alone. Just grab your clippers, trim your hedge, and celebrate knowing that every piece of clippings left behind is working to build a better environment for your hedge and your garden. Happy chopping!
