Hedges
People have been fascinated for centuries by hedges conifers and shrubs. They create an attractive boundary to the garden. There are many varieties suitable for this purpose and most hedging plants are also evergreen too! November is the best time to plant a hedge!
1. Preparations
Before planting put the bare roots of the shrubs and conifers in water for at least an hour. This will ensure the roots are well moistened and will give the new plantings a good start. Determine where you want to plant the hedge. You may then find it helpful to use two sticks and tie a guide line just above the ground, this will help to form a straight line.
Prepare the ground by digging a trench with a depth of 60 to 80 cm. along the guide line. The earth taken from the trench can be used later for filling in the trench. Do your hedge plants have a root ball? If so prepare the trench so that it is 20 cm. wider than the root ball.
Aerate the soil by loosening the soil both at the bottom and the sides of the trench, it can be improved by adding some compost (up to 1 / 3 of the soil may consist of compost). Then thoroughly mix the compost with the soil at the bottom of the trench. If you do not, the roots of the conifers and shrubs may burn. Do not add fertilizer, organic manure or fertilizer granules to the soil as this is not good for the hair roots.
Work some compost into the soil that was dug from the trench before using it to refill the hole.
Before you start planting remove any damaged or broken roots.
2. Planting your hedge
Make sure your hedge plants are at the right distance and depth in the trench. You will find the suggested distance and depth to plant on our website for the product description for each particular plant. Look at the colouration of the stem of the shrubs and conifers, you can easily determine the correct planting depth. If the discoloured portion of the stem protrudes entirely underground, the correct planting depth is reached. Where the colouration stops, the stem should be above ground level. Never plant the shrubs and conifers deeper than is necessary. Planting too deep could cause them to rot and the roots could also be slower growing.
We recommend that the gauze or burlap (used on root balls) or root cloth (used on bare roots) is loosened at the time of planting. Keeping it on until planting will protect the roots from sun and wind. Always plant the hedge in stages. Thus the roots are exposed as little as possible.
With conifers or shrubs spread the bare roots (such as Privet) into the trench. Keep the plants at the correct depth and distance. Of course it makes it easier if you ask someone to help you with this stage.
Now you can refill the trench with the soil you have previously dug out of the trench.
Press the soil firmly with your foot around the new planted trees. .
3. After planting
Water generously after planting and throughout the first year, using a considerable amount of water.
Finally we recommend (except for conifers), immediately after planting to prune the top of the hedges. The result will be a beautiful, dense hedge!
Conifers
Plant your conifers as soon as possible after you receive them. Open the outer packaging and remove the conifer (or conifers). If you are not able to plant immediately, leave in the packaging and place in a cool, light, frost-free place, out of the sun. But do not leave in the package too long as they will deteriorate.
It is obviously important that your conifers do not dry out. If there is a risk that this may happen, water them well or temporarily immerse the conifer in a bucket of water. Leave it there for quite some time so the soil is moist.
Dig a planting hole at least twice the width of the root ball. If the roots of the conifer are wrapped in burlap place the root ball into the planting hole, cut the burlap away from the trunk and pull it carefully from under the roots. Then fill in the hole with soil.
Once planted, press the soil firmly and water thoroughly. Create a rim of earth around the tree, this will allow water to remain which will help to keep the tree moist.
Don't rely on nature, check that the conifers are well supplied with water. In our experience, the conifers that don't become established is usually through lack of water.
Conifers benefit from mulching. Apply approximately 6-7 cm deep around the tree ensuring that it is not too close to the trunk. This helps to maintain a cool soil temperature.
