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Hedge Preparation

TimmyMagicTimmyMagic Posts: 135
in Plants
I want to plant a hedge and am hoping for some advice.

I've started on the initial preparation by clearing a lot of stinging nettles and other weeds. I want to plant a hedge along the side of this track:



It's not easy to see in the photo, but there is a drop off from the track to the ground where the greenhouse is located. So I'm not sure what would be best - to slope it or use the slabs (as shown in the photo) to create a small retaining wall so the ground is level where I want the hedge to go. What do you think?

I will be planting bare roots and I'm undecided, but am leaning towards a mixed native hedge. The hedge is just to create a boundary. It's important that the hedge doesn't venture too far over onto the track, so how far should I plant from the edge of the track?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Yes, the greenhouse has no glass. It was a freebie and I gave up on it (long story) - deciding instead to use it as a frame for runner beans this year. A word to the wise - this is a very bad idea. The frame was like a runway for snails!

Posts

  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    Not sure if there is much benefit from making the area under the new hedge perfectly level with a retaining wall. I'd be more inclined to use the slabs for something else and keep the edge of the hedge area clear to be easier to remove weeds from, particularly when the hedge plants are getting established.

    I think a hedge works better with a double row and also you will want to have some branches growing out from the trunk of the hedge plants so the side of the hedge by the road does not look too bare when clipped back as far as you want to keep it. Not sure of the scale from the photo but I'd be looking to put the plants closest to the road at least 30cm from where you would be clipping it back to and then another row of plants further from the road with the plants in one row facing a gap in the other row so the space fills in well over time. Posted some video clips of a hornbeam and white thorn hedge developing here.

    Happy gardening!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Unless you're going to plant it around 6 feet from the track, it'll need clipping back. That area you've cleared will get covered within a couple of years.  Most native hedging will grow sideways considerably over time, if it has suitable conditions. 
    A slope will make no difference to the establishment of a hedge.  :)
    Is the land yours to plant on?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TimmyMagicTimmyMagic Posts: 135
    @robairdmacraignil - thanks. I watched a few of your videos and your hedges look great!

    @Fairygirl - yes, but the track is a right of way. I was leaning towards a mixed native hedge for variety and wildlife value. But maybe I should plant privet instead, as we have this already elsewhere. It's a bit boring but can be easily clipped into shape. Decisions, decisions!
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    The new hedge should be planted at least a metre from the track.

    Mixed hedges are great for wildlife and privet is too; privet hawkmoth will only use privet and the blackbirds like the berries.  Mixed hedge with privet included is my suggestion.  
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • TimmyMagicTimmyMagic Posts: 135
    Redwing said:
    The new hedge should be planted at least a metre from the track.
    Planting at least a metre away? That's further than I thought and would take up more room than I'd like. It would reduce my veg patch quite a bit. I've seen a lot of privet hedges in front gardens nearby that are neatly clipped and not very wide at all. I was therefore thinking more like 50cm to 60cm.  
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    You can keep a privet or beech hedge much narrower than a mixed native hedge. 

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





  • TimmyMagicTimmyMagic Posts: 135
    Thanks @Dovefromabove .

    In a year or two I'll buy a cordless hedge trimmer to make life easier.

    Thanks all. Still lots of prep work to do!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2021
    You can keep a hawthorn hedge pretty narrow too if you keep it trimmed regularly as it’s forming its structure. 

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





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