Bare Root Hedging - How to ensure success

[@kenkenny4238]

Really good video. Thanks

[@user-xc3hk8rg1c]

Most helpful and informative video about hornbeam and bare root hedges I've seen. Thank you!

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you, so glad you found it helpful

[@dj_efk]

It’s called a rabbiting spade because it’s used to dig out rabbit burrows.

[@MurphysGarden]

Oh ok, now I know! Thank you

[@TheWholesomeGardener]

Such a helpful video - thank you so much! Gosh you have sandy soil - ours is our thick clay. The cutest ending ever! ❤

[@MurphysGarden]

Glad you found it helpful. Yes, our soil is incredibly sandy, a whole lot easier to work than your clay but dries out so quickly and lots of things I can’t grow. There’s pros and cons of both I guess! Thanks for watching Jenny and Murphy 🐾

[@TheWholesomeGardener]

@@MurphysGarden So true! That's the beauty of no dig beds - we create our own soil on the surface! Thanks Jenny and Murphy!

[@evanpagano]

Can you provide the name of the evergreen hedge in the far background, behind your beech hedge? Thanks for sharing.

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, it is Cupressus x leylandii we call it Leyland cypress and it is similar to the American Arborvitae which is a more cold-hardy Leyland Cypress. It can be a bit of a thug but if it’s kept under control it makes a very quick growing hedge which is why we planted it, we needed to reduce the wind. Thanks Jenny

[@lilylilylily95]

Thank you so much for this! First time hedge planter here: may I ask, roughly how far from the fence is he planting the hedge, and what gap do you leave between the two rows when planting in a double row? Thanks in advance :)

[@MurphysGarden]

It doesn’t have to be too precise but I think Al planted that hedge quite close to the fence (about 20cm /8inches). When planted close to a fence be aware that the plants may be more prone to drying out as the fence will act like a shelter from some of the rain coming from that direction so make sure it’s kept watered in dry spells for the first year. If you’ve got the space perhaps allow about a foot. The staggered rows are about 8 inches apart and that will make a nice thick, dense hedge. Good luck, hope it goes well!

[@lilylilylily95]

@@MurphysGarden Thank you so much! Quantities calculated and hedge plants ordered! We're excited to get planting 🙂

[@MurphysGarden]

Fantastic news, hope it all goes well!

[@radharcanna]

A very helpful demonstration, thanks to yourselves and Murphy! I want to plant a tall screening hedge by a roadside. Can you let beech grow tall (while trimming the sides) without it getting out of control? It would be nice to have a tall hedge within five years but maybe that’s being too ambitious.

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, you can absolutely let it grow tall while maintaining its width. We have found beech to be quite slow to establish so it may take a bit longer than five years when planted as small bare root whips. If you need it taller quickly and depending on your budget and length of hedge you require then consider buying as larger pot grown plants. We bought eight hornbeam which came as big 8 foot hedging trees which we pleached (see video about pleaching to see what they looked like)but they would make an excellent instant hedge but cost much more. Good luck Jenny

[@radharcanna]

@@MurphysGarden Hello Jenny. Thanks for your reply. I have two separate areas. One is about 30 metres long, so I could probably afford to buy 4-5 ft bare root plants for that. The other is about 100 metres and is on slightly sloped and uneven ground. Ideally I’d like to plant something there that would offer a year-round screen but would require little or no attention, since I’m not getting any younger! I’m not a huge fan of shiny evergreens but something like Portuguese laurel would probably fit the bill. I’d be happy with beech if it only needed a yearly trim on the road side and nothing off the top.

[@MurphysGarden]

Unfortunately I don’t think anything is maintenance free but beech is probably your best best and looks lovely and provides privacy even when the leaves turn brown. I think Portuguese laurel is lovely but is quite a vigorous grower. Yew of course is good but may be too dark? We’ve found it to be quite quick (as long as you don’t cut the main stem) and once it reaches the desired height then cut the main stem and it just need cutting once a year. Good luck in whatever you choose Jenny

[@radharcanna]

@@MurphysGarden Thanks again Jenny. You’ve convinced me to go with beech. Love the channel.

[@markmulder996]

Sorry but you've planted that way, way too deep. The mark you've indicated (10:22) is at least 20cm above the highest root. That can't be right.

[@MurphysGarden]

It is advised to plant to the depth that they were in before at the nursery and to the old soil line. This is not the same as planting a tree and the plants are not grafted. They need to be fairly deep to establish. I have planted hundreds of hedging plants this way and I have lots of healthy large hedges but obviously you can do it any way you wish. Thanks for watching