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Tips to replace a old beech hedge and plant a new laurel hedge in same row asap.

billyp7WmtKKMbillyp7WmtKKM Posts: 34
edited October 2021 in Plants
I have just removed a beech hedge that was not looking great and took out all the roots and stumps which was tough going. I need to grow a new mature portuguese laurel on there asap (120cm-140cm).

I am trying to clear out all the remaining roots, weeds, and dig right down to clear as much as I can to clear the soil of any roots from hedge and then put down some weed killer (roundup) tomorrow to kill in any roots or weeds living there and leave for a week.

I then plan to add some nice fresh new top soil, new compost in 10-14 days and plant my new maturer portuguese laurel hedges.  Is this the correct way to do it?

I planted some portuguese laurel hedging around the rest of the garden without putting down any weed killer and the weeds have been coming through all year.  hence why I was going to put some down, but keep getting told mixed things on this.

Can any one advise if I am doing anything wrong here.  thanks in advance.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    First of all - weedkiller doesn't work if it has nothing to work on, so it's not worth it unless there's loads of green growth there.   :)
    Large hedging specimens don't establish so easily, and need pruned back on planting to help them, so it's usually false economy to buy them. Plants at around 3 feet are easier, and will grow away more quickly.  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2021
    Roundup only works if sprayed on growing leaves so don’t wast your time and money putting it on roots. 

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





  • billyp7WmtKKMbillyp7WmtKKM Posts: 34
    I planted some portuguese laurel hedging around the rest of the garden without putting down any weed killer and the weeds have been coming through all year.  hence why I was going to put some down. 
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Weedkiller only kills the weeds that are there at the time, and then only if used appropriately. It doesn't prevent other weeds germinating or seeds blowing in on the wind. Weeding is not a one-off thing, it is an ongoing part of garden care.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    As others have said roundup won't stop new weeds appearing, if it did it would also kill your new hedge. Put the hedge in and cover the soil surface with a thick layer of mulch, it will keep the weeds down for a couple of years which should give the hedge time to get ahead.
  • cmarkrcmarkr Posts: 142
    Weed membrane is an option to help keep down perennial weeds and then a mulch on top to cover the slits and to support the new planting. I'm surprised you had an established beech hedge with problems though unless it's very wet ground?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Maintaining a proper, clear area each side of the whips is the most important thing. A mulch helps suppress weeds and preserve moisture. Weeds will seed in and also grow from runners from other areas - creeping buttercup for example. The location of the hedge is a factor - a hedge in a fairly standard, domestic suburban garden is quite different from one in a rural setting surrounded by farmland. 
    As @Buttercupdays says, it's a mistake to think you can just plant a hedge and then leave it to get on with it. You have to keep checking it's healthy and not being compromised by other plants, of any kind, which will prevent good establishment and growth.  :)
    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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