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privet

Mark Chapman3Mark Chapman3 Posts: 3
in Problem solving

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 Hi,

I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction, I planted about 70 meters of privet around the front and side of house 3 years ago. While down the side of the garden which gets the most sun, the hedge is thriving, at the front which only gets the sun first thing in the morning and last thing in the afternoon, the privet is very sparse, turning silver and looks like it is dying, is there anything I can do?

Thanks

Mark

Posts

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Looks like mildew. It's been a good season for it. When the leaves drop they should be renewed by fresh ones.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Hi Mark, one reason it will be struggling is that it is competing with the grass underneath.  Grass takes up a lot of nutrients and water from the ground.  I'd advise removing the grass and any weeds from under the hedge so that the privet is effectively growing in a row of clear soil about 12-18" wide.  To further improve things, sprinkle some fish, blood and bone fertilizer on that soil and mulch it with a couple of inches of garden compost or well rotted farmyard manure.  Doing that will also help keep the grass and weeds from growing under the hedge.  Once the hedge is fully established after a couple more years, it will shade the ground underneath and you won't need to do this.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Mark Chapman3Mark Chapman3 Posts: 3

    Hi Welshonion

    Thanks for the reply, would the reason for the mildew be that it doesn't get much sun as the well sunned side seems fine?

    Thanks

    Mark

  • Mark Chapman3Mark Chapman3 Posts: 3

    Hi BobTheGardener

    Thanks for the reply, would you add the fertilizer now or wait for the spring?

    Thanks

    Mark

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Hi Mark, Either now or in spring would be fine.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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