Planting a Hedge

The best time of year to plant a hedge is between November and March when the plants are available as bare root whips. Whips are young plants which have a thin 'whip like' stem with few or no developed branches, typically they are 40cm to 90cm in length. Bare root plants are dug from the field and sent to the customer without soil or a pot. As long as the roots are kept damp and not allowed to dehydrate the plants will start growing roots during the winter and new foliage in the spring. They are quick to establish in a well prepared site and will make a dense bushy hedge within two or three seasons

It is best to plant the hedge as soon as the plants arrive.  They can be planted at any time between November and March unless the ground is waterlogged or frozen. Temporarily they can be 'heeled' in which means placing the roots in a trench of loose soil to keep the roots hydrated (see diagram below)

How many plants should I order
Plant the whips between 30 and 60cm apart for a hedge 90cm thick. For a wider hedge plant two rows, 45cm apart, and stagger the plants so they are not lined up

Preparing the ground
Clear the ground of weeds. Dig a trench at 30-40cm deep and 60cm wide, removing perennial weed roots as you go. Mix the excavated soil with plenty of compost or well rotted manure

Planting
Carefully tease apart the roots of the plants and cut off any damaged roots with a sharp knife or secateurs. Plant in the trench and cover the roots with the mixed soil and compost/manure and firm in with your foot. When planted the whips should be upright with the top most roots being just below the surface. Water well to settle the soil around the roots. No further watering should be required but if there is a prolonged dry spell aim to keep the trench just moist, never overwater or create waterlogged conditions

Aftercare
For the first two seasons keep the hedge free of weeds on both sides and inbetween the plants. Water the hedge during dry spells to keep the soil moist but not wet. Once a year during spring or early summer, rake in a general purpose fertiliser like Growmore into the top few centimetres of soil. Follow the guidelines on the pack but aim to add about a handful of fertiliser per square metre of soil surface.