A perfectly shaped boxwood probably sees the garden shears more often than any other plant in your yard. Usually, you’re just giving those new tips a quick trim to keep things tidy. But let’s be honest: picking up those tiny little clippings afterward is a total pain! To save yourself the headache, the best trick is to use a drop cloth.
Why bother picking up every single clipping?
When you’re doing regular maintenance pruning, the clippings are super fine. If your boxwood isn’t sitting in the middle of a paved patio, raking them up is nearly impossible. You might be tempted to just leave them there to decompose, but with the boxwood moth making its rounds lately, that’s a risky move. Those hungry caterpillars can leave your shrub completely bare in no time. Plus, with boxwood blight being such a common issue, leaving debris on the ground is like an open invitation for fungi and eggs to overwinter and strike again next year. It’s much safer to dispose of them properly.
Quick Tip:
If you are 100% sure your boxwood is healthy, you can definitely compost the clippings or use them as mulch. Just make sure to shred any thicker woody branches first.
Using a pruning tarp
You can actually buy specialized “topiary tarps” designed specifically for this. They’re a convenient, reusable solution, though they do cost a few bucks. They usually come with a pre-cut slit to fit around the trunk and handy handles on the corners to make carrying the mess away a breeze.
DIY your own drop cloth
If you want to save some cash, you can easily make your own version using stuff you probably already have lying around the house:
- An old oilcloth tablecloth
- Leftover pond liner
- A plastic tarp
- An old shower curtain
- An old bedsheet
- Any large piece of scrap fabric
Make sure your cloth is big enough! Those little clippings tend to fly further than you’d think, so don’t just cover the area directly under the branches. Cut a slit to the center so you can slide it right around the base of the trunk. If you plan on using it often, it’s worth using a sturdier material that will hold up over time.
Other ways to clean up the mess
If your boxwood is sitting right in the middle of your lawn, you can actually use your lawnmower to suck up the clippings—just make sure the collection bag is attached! In some garden beds, a leaf vacuum can also do the trick if the mulch isn’t too light.
