Preparation is the key to a wildlife-friendly boundary
As the owner of a hedge that was long established before I moved into my house, I have not had the pleasure of planting my own but here’s some great advice from Cobra on how to plant a new hedge.
One tip from me – don’t plant fast-growing, spiny plants like hawthorn on the pavement side. I regularly want to throttle the former owner of my house, who did just that – more on hedges. New hedges have the best chances of survival if planted in autumn, giving them time to become established.
How to plant a new hedge – Preparation
- Begin the groundwork early to allow the removal of weeds and for the ground to settle.
- When planting, rather than digging individual holes, prepare one long trench.
- Dig a long strip in a single row and mark out the site first, then add organic matter.
Hedge planting
- Dig the trench one spade’s depth and 1m (3ft) wide, remove all weeds and loosen the soil.
- When spacing the plants, try not to plant too close to allow room to spread and develop.
- Place each plant slightly proud of the soil and fill in around the roots, then firm in well.
How to plant a new hedge – Aftercare
- During the first year, add mulch to keep the roots moist and the soil temperature regulated and water regularly.
- Evergreen hedges generally grow faster than deciduous (apart from hawthorn), so they will need trimming at least once a year – preferably twice.
Hedge cutting key points
- It is illegal to disturb nesting birds, so leave pruning until autumn and check the hedge thoroughly for wildlife before cutting.
- Safety first: never use hedge trimmers in wet conditions.
- Keep cords untangled and out of the way to avoid tripping.
- Wear safety goggles and sturdy gloves.
Cobra hedge cutting tools
Cobra has a range of electric, petrol and battery hedge trimmers to choose from. For more awkward jobs, there is a long-reach hedge trimmer, which has an articulating head. The batteries are interchangeable with other Cobra products, too. For more information on the latest models, visit www.cobragarden.co.uk.
