When can you cut a hedge in Switzerland?
Outside the nesting season: from the end of August to mid-March at the latest, according to BirdLife Schweiz. Nests and breeding birds must not be disturbed, under the Federal Hunting Act. BirdLife also advises cutting only about a third of a hedge each year.
Ep. 63 · This is Ueli · 59 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
In Switzerland, nests and breeding birds are protected by federal law, so hedges are cut outside the nesting season, from the end of August to mid-March. BirdLife Schweiz advises cutting only about a third of a hedge each year, so birds always keep some cover. In a rented building the gardener or the Hauswart usually does it, and noisy garden work waits for a weekday, never Sunday. If you have your own hedge, autumn and winter are the safe months.
Blüemli's verdict: Ding. Autumn, not spring. Cut hedges from the end of August to mid-March. Nests and breeding birds are protected.
BRUTZEIT: literally: “brood time”; really: the nesting season, when hedges are left alone Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Cut in autumn. A third at a time.
Learn more: Swiss Sunday rules
The rule, explained
BirdLife Schweiz published its yearly reminder on 12 March 2026, under the title Last chance to cut hedges: the birds' breeding season begins soon. The window it gives is from the end of August to mid-March at the latest. The reason is federal law: under the Federal Hunting Act, JSG, nests and breeding birds must not be disturbed. BirdLife adds two pieces of advice. Do not cut the whole hedge at once: cut only about a third each year, so birds always keep some cover. And native hedges usually do not need a cut every year. In a rented building, the gardener or the Hauswart usually does the work, and as noisy garden work it waits for a weekday. So the gardener's November was right. Everything off at once is the part BirdLife would change.
Questions people ask
Can you cut a hedge in spring in Switzerland?
Not in the nesting season. Cut from the end of August to mid-March at the latest; nests and breeding birds must not be disturbed (BirdLife Schweiz, Federal Hunting Act).
How much of a hedge should you cut at once?
Only about a third each year, so birds always keep some cover. Native hedges usually do not need a cut every year (BirdLife Schweiz).
More episodes
Previous: When does the heating come on in a Swiss flat? Next: Swiss health insurance: how do you pay less?