How To Prepare For Planting Native Hedging: An 8-Step Guide

Nov 26, 2024

How to prepare for planting native hedging: An 8 step guide – is the key to creating a thriving hedgerow that will flourish for years to come. Proper preparation ensures your native hedging plants have the best possible start, providing them with the nutrients, space, and ideal conditions they need to grow strong and healthy. Without the right preparation, even the hardiest plants can struggle to establish themselves. Whether you're aiming to create a wildlife-friendly boundary or a natural windbreak, setting up the perfect foundation is essential for success!

Here’s our 8-step guide on how to prepare the site for planting native British hedging whips.

1. Clearing the Site before Planting Native Hedging

Why it's important: Grass and weeds compete with your young hedging plants for nutrients, water, and light. Removing these before planting gives your native hedging whips the best chance to establish strong, healthy roots.
How to do it:

Use a hoe, spade, or garden fork to remove the grass and weeds manually. For larger areas, you might consider using a hoe or weed killer (if organic and safe for surrounding plants).
If you're planting a longer native hedge, you might want to remove grass along a wide strip (about 1 meter wide) where the hedging will go. This helps prevent competition while your native hedging plants are establishing themselves.
Optional: Lay down a weed-suppressing membrane or cardboard to further suppress growth, especially in the first few months.

2. Testing and Improving the Soil for Planting Hedging

Why it's important: Healthy soil is key for the success of your native hedging. Testing the soil will help you understand if any amendments are needed, like adding organic matter for better structure or improving drainage.
How to do it:

Test the soil pH and fertility (you can buy a simple soil test kit). Native hedging plants generally prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6-7), but some species tolerate a wider range.
If the soil is heavy clay, add organic matter like compost to improve drainage. If it's sandy, add organic matter to help retain moisture and nutrients.
If the soil is particularly compacted, loosen it with a fork or spade to enable good root growth.

3. Creating Planting Holes for Bare-Root Native Hedging Plants

Why it's important: Proper planting depth is essential for good root growth. Native hedging whips should be planted deep enough for their roots to spread and establish firmly in the soil.
How to do it:

For a hedge planted in a trench, dig a shallow trench about 30cm deep and 45cm wide (for single-row hedging) or 90cm wide (for double-row hedging) along the line where you want the hedge to grow.
For individual planting, use a spade or post hole digger to create holes around 30cm deep and wide enough to accommodate the hedging plant roots comfortably.

4. Improving the Soil Before Planting Hedging

Why it's important: Adding organic matter to the planting site helps improve the soil's fertility, moisture retention, and overall structure, making it easier for the young plants to establish.
How to do it:

Mix compost, well-rotted manure, or other organic matter into the soil. This helps improve the soil’s structure, especially in heavier clay soils, and provides a nutrient boost to the young hedging plants.
For sandy soils, organic matter will help retain moisture and nutrients that would otherwise be lost.

5. Check Drainage At Planting Site

Why it's important: Poor drainage can lead to waterlogged soil, which can drown young hedging plant roots. On the other hand, dry, compacted soil can prevent roots from spreading.
How to do it:

Ensure that the site drains well, especially if you’re planting in low-lying or heavy clay areas. If water tends to collect, consider improving drainage with soil amendments like compost or planting on a raised bed or mound.
After a heavy rain, check how long it takes for water to drain from the site. If it lingers, improving the drainage may be necessary.

6. Marking the Planting Line for Native Hedging

Why it's important: Having a clear line for planting ensures that your hedge is straight and evenly spaced, which makes for a more attractive and functional boundary.
How to do it:

Use a string line or garden marker to outline where you want your hedge to go. This helps ensure consistent spacing and a neat, tidy result.

7. Plan for Access to Maintain Your Native Hedging

Why it's important: It's easy to forget how you’ll get to your hedge for future maintenance tasks like watering, pruning, or weeding. Planning now will save you hassle later.
How to do it:

Leave enough space around the hedge for easy access—especially if you plan on using a mower or trimmer to manage the edges.
Consider how you'll mulch and water your hedge during its first few years of growth.

8. Optimal Planting Time for Native Hedging Whips

Why it's important: Timing is key to ensure your hedging whips have enough time to establish themselves before extreme weather hits.
How to do it: The best time to plant native hedging whips is usually in late autumn or early spring when the plants are dormant. Be sure to plant them before the ground becomes too hard in winter.

By following these preparation steps, you’ll give your native hedging plants the best possible start, ensuring they thrive and grow into a beautiful, functional, and wildlife-friendly hedge for years to come.

Now that you're armed with the knowledge of how to prepare your site for a thriving hedgerow, why not take the next step and explore our range of native British hedging whips? Whether you’re creating a beautiful boundary, a wildlife haven, or a natural windbreak, we have the perfect plants to help your vision come to life. 🌱