Planting a hedge, how it's done!

Planting a hedge, how it's done!

Planting a hedge, how it's done!

There are many varieties of hedging plants to choose from when deciding to plant a hedge and just as many reasons why people plant them. Reasons include, making a barrier to stop intruders, setting out a boundary line between you and your neighbour and to provide privacy.

The first thing you need to do is decide what type of hedge you would like to plant and the main reason you are planting a hedge. There are many varieties available some are deciduous and drop there leaves such as Hawthorne which are a popular choice in the UK specially for farmers fields trying to keep cattle and horses in there fields. You may also want to think about planting a evergreen hedge, there are a few ideal candidates for this including Laurel hedging and Leylandii which are both a favourite of mine and can both be used to grow tall hedges from 5ft to 20ft.

What you need to plant a hedge

Most people will have the basic tools needed when planting hedges; the main tool's you will need are a spade, fork, Secateurs and wheelbarrow. We would also recommend that you get some slow-release fertiliser available from most nurseries and garden centres and some farmyard manure or compost to add to the soil when planting your hedge. This will help promote new root growth and give the plants a geed start.

How to plant a hedge

The following guidelines are ideal for someone planting a hedge with plants that are approximately 30-90cm (12-36") tall.

The first steps to planting a hedge are you will need to dig a trench to the same length you want your finished hedge to be; it should be around 2ft (60cm) wide by 50cm deep. If you are planting larger hedging plants with larger roots, such as 6ft laurels with very large root systems then you will need to change the width and depth of the trench accordingly. Whilst digging the trench place the excess soil you remove to one side of the trench so that the soil can be put back into the trench later, at the same time remove any stones or weeds.

Planting a hedge - Preparation

Next you need to break up the soil in the bottom of the trench. Measure one of the hedging plants in the trench to make sure that the trench is the correct depth for planting. Place the hedging plant into the trench and make sure that there is enough space for a 2 inch's of farm manure or any well rooted organic matter you may have to go underneath the plants. Now you need to make sure that the top of the trench will come level with the original soil level of the plants, never plant the plants deeper than they have previously been planted in the ground or in pots and don't plant up the stem of the plant. Now you can add 2 inches of farmyard manure or well rotted organic matter to the bottom of the trench, mix well with the soil which is in the bottom trench.

Now you can now start placing the hedging plants spacing them the correct distance apart, we recommend spacing most hedging plants 2ft (24) apart. As a general rule the plants should be planted side by side so there a just touching each other. Once the plants are all lined up in the trench in a straight line you can begin to put the excess soil back in adding the slow-release fertilizer as you work your way down the trench until all the hedging plants are planted. Make Firm the soil around the base of the plants with your feet to remove any air pockets.

Now to add some finishing touches rake the soil around the plants level and smooth over with the rake. Finally water the plants with plenty of water, water regularly until there are well rooted and do not allow to dry out.

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