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Questions/sanity check on hornbeam hedge plan

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  • Sorry, realise my explanations haven't painted the clearest picture. Some pics attached - planning on planting all the way down, and across (excuse the longer grass, let it go a bit since it'll be getting dug out shortly).

    Regarding the fence, the downwards run (inward-T) is our responsibility and the bottom bit the neighbours. They let their grass grow long over the summer and bale it so quite a bit comes through the fence (that's where the fabric on our side of the fence idea came in). We're friendly so it shouldn't be a problem if we had to trim from their side.

    The good news is the measurements I had scribbled down were wrong, there's actually 2.1m between the fence and the window.

    With that in mind, I think the longest we'd be able to leave between the fence and first row would be 1.2m.

    1.2m from the fence to the first row, 30cm to the second row, and then being able to grow 60cm before getting to the window (and starting to block views).

    Does that sound like a better plan?




  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If you are friendly with your neighbours and they will let you trim from that side, I would plant the first row 600mm from the fence. I think you are best off mulching the planting strip, and just managing any grass that comes through; I don't think a membrane is going to help massively and the grass issue should solve itself as the hedge matures and shades it out. Unless your soil is very poor I wouldn't enrich it other than adding the mulch. Maybe add the bonemeal cos they always told us it was good for root establishment when I was at college. Don't know how evidence based that was though! I wouldn't dig a massively deep trench either, if you fluff up the soil too much underneath them, they will sink as the ground settles. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Thanks everyone for the help.

    We'll leave a 60cm gap from the fence in that case and not bother with anything on the fence.

    One final (for now :smile:) question - to encourage the hedge to grow to the height we want should we just focus on pruning the sides and leave the leading growth alone?

    Was seeing some conflicting advice, a lot saying leave it be until over desired height, and others saying to reduce by 1/3 to encourage it growing out.



  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I'd go for the latter, it will promote more side branches and ultimately a denser hedge.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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