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Copper Beech Hedging

stanstymanstanstyman Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I planted 90mts of copper beech hedging last year and it seems to be starting to do well the past few months. Early days with plants about 18" - 24" high. The problem I have is that I have grass growing prolifically between them and desperately need to keep it trimmed down. I cannot risk using my strimmer for fear of taking some off the bark off, which I did do when first trying.

Ideally I am looking for a product I could spray on that would kill off the grass but not damage the beech. Does anyone know of such a product please or if not any advice on how to keep the area grass free would be gratefully received.

Please bear in mind I'm not a young man anymore so regularly hand weeding such a length of hedging is out of the question.

I thank you in anticipation of any advice you feel able to offer.
Best regards
stanstyman

Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Hello and welcome.
    Why is the area planted so full of grass?
    Was it cleared before you planted?
    Don't try to use a chemical.
    Using a strimmer will attack the plants that you want to grow.
    Many of us aren't young and we have to do a little often.
    Can you pull up some of the grass and then try another day to do the same?
  • stanstymanstanstyman Posts: 3
    bertrand-mabel said:
    Hello and welcome.
    Why is the area planted so full of grass?
    Was it cleared before you planted?
    Don't try to use a chemical.
    Using a strimmer will attack the plants that you want to grow.
    Many of us aren't young and we have to do a little often.
    Can you pull up some of the grass and then try another day to do the same?
    The area was totally cleared using a chemical spray last year then an area was seeded for a lawn and the hedging planted around it on two sides as a border. One is about 60mts and the other 49mts.
    Gradually the grass has spread between the hedging despite my attempts to keep it down. My age and health allows me only short and limited opportunities to do weeding.
    I was hoping maybe I could spray the area but from what you say probably not.
    I didn't want the grass to choke the beech or restrict it's growth, am I perhaps worrying unnecessary ?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would think that mulching with bark chippings along a wide strip each side of the hedge should help keep the grass down … but it will need to be cleared before the mulch is put in place. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree with @Dovefromabove. The area will need to be cleared - probably by hand - and then a good layer of bark or similar laid to help suppress weeds/grass. A thorough watering before doing that is also a good idea. I use a layer of bark on mine every year or so. 
    It would be possible to  carefully spray between each sapling to get rid of some grass, but it's unlikely you'll get all of it. It would also take a fair bit of time for that length of hedging if there's a lot. It also depends just how much you're talking about. My hedge is next to my grass, and I also get some stray bits, but as long as I use the edging shears well, it doesn't create much of a problem because I'm regularly chopping through any encroaching stems.  Perhaps you could look at using those instead of a strimmer for edging the grass?  :)

    Also, is there anyone who could help you? If you're struggling to weed out grass, will you not need help maintaining the hedge later too?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • stanstymanstanstyman Posts: 3
    I think you're right. I'll need some help for the initial clearing and then put a layer of bark down. Then it will be just a question of trying to keep that tidy with regular maintenance.
    I pride myself on how the garden looks and this has just turned into an unsightly mess I'm afraid.

    Thanks to everyone for their posts on this subject. Much appreciated.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I hope you can get it resolved. Better to tackle it now before the hedge really starts taking off too. A beech hedge is a lovely thing  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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