Chances of hedge surviving this frost?

CraighB · November 2021

Hi guys I planted my bare root Yew hedges on Sunday. The ground wasn't frozen and I never got a chance to mulch them however after the frost last night I'm worried they won't survive. The ground seems frozen solid.

They are only small plants, around 30-40cm tall.

What damage could the frost have done or should they be ok?

Thanks

Craigh

Dovefromabove · November 2021

I think they’ll be fine. They’re more or less dormant at the moment.

CraighB · November 2021

@Dovefromabove I really hope so! I didn't water them in as I knew the frost was coming and didn't want the water to freeze solid Inside the soil. I also watched an RHS video on planting hedges and the guy said there was no need to water initially if planting them in the winter.

When the ground defrosts should I give them a good water or not?

Fairygirl · November 2021

They probably won't need it. I rarely water anything I plant at this time of year.
Just keep an eye on them if you're in a drier area.

CraighB · November 2021

@Fairygirl Oh that's good then

Well it's not like this frost will be around for a while. It's due to get a little warmer after today so they won't be frozen for too long

Fairygirl · November 2021

I think they'll be fine

It's always better to plant when there's no frost forecast for a few days, but most hedging plants, and shrubs, are tough, and can withstand a little frost.
It's worse if the ground's wet, then freezes and stays like that for days.

Dovefromabove · November 2021

Sorry just got back to this. I agree with @Fairygirl … she’s used to tougher conditions than we get here so if she thinks they’ll be fine they should be. 😊

Fairygirl · November 2021

The only other thing I'd add is, take a look at the root area and check that the plants are secure. Frost can often open up soil, so if that's happened, just firm them back in.
You could probably add your mulch too, at that point

The better the soil structure they're planted in, the more likely they are to be fine though.

CraighB · November 2021

Thanks @Fairygirl @Dovefromabove that's made me feel a lot better

I will go out at the weekend to check on them and mulch them.

The soil they are planted in is pretty average to be fair. It's a little sticky so it's got some clay in and it was a bit wet when I planted them but not soggy. But its a long way from being full on clay soil. So again I'm hoping that the soil structure is ok for the Yew that I've planted. If I put a thick mulch of well rotted manure and keep it topped up the structure should change for the better in time anyway I hope.

How long out of interest would the mulch take to really make a difference to the soil structure and start to provide nutrients to the plants?

Fairygirl · December 2021

That's a difficult question to answer as there are too many variables - depth of mulch, general conditions, other planting etc.
An average layer of rotted manure [around a couple of inches] will break down over winter and should be quite well incorporated by next spring/summer.
You don't need to go mad with it though - just add a general mulch of compost, manure or leaf mould whenever it suits you, as long as you aren't burying the main trunks/stems of each plant. A mulch helps with weed suppression, as well as helping the soil structure, so it's very beneficial for hedging, especially in the first few years.

They're small plants, and will take a while to get established before they start growing more readily.

Chances of hedge surviving this frost?

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