Incorporating hedges on your property offers a timeless touch of elegance that’s hard to beat. While some homeowners use these natural barriers to embellish walkways, driveways, and assorted garden spaces, others see them as a natural way to establish privacy around property lines or as an element in swimming pool landscaping. No matter how you intend to use them, taking the time upfront to plan is important. We’ll share the steps Landscape Guys go through when we’re planting new hedges at someone’s home.

Before We Plant New Hedges

Plan The Line:

It’s at this stage that we need to do all the planning and design. Here’s where we’ll need to determine where your new hedges will go. Whether the line is straight, curved, or a mixture of the two, we need to ensure that we have an even line. Pruning can hide some blemishes in alignment, but we don’t want to rely on it, so this is why we try to keep the line as tight as possible.

Identify Any Utility and Irrigation Lines:

Municipalities across the country have local phone numbers you can call to have someone come out and locate your utilities. Unless you know where your utility lines are, this is something we’ll want to request. In addition to utilities, knowing where your sprinkler lines are is also important. We’re trying to avoid hitting anything while we dig and minimize the chances of roots causing plumbing and irrigation problems in the future.

Evergreen or Deciduous:

Most people think of evergreen hedges, as this has been the popular route for centuries from large hedge mazes to establishing property lines. They’re dense and they remain intact year-round to provide privacy, wind protection, and more. However, deciduous varieties also exist, they just experience the seasonal changes like many trees so they’ll thin during fall and winter.

Planting New Privacy Hedges

Space Plants Evenly:

Again, pruning can hide some imperfections in alignment and planning but not all. In addition to making sure our line is smooth, we’ll ensure the plants are properly spaced. This will achieve the density you’re eventually looking for and also allow each plant the proper room to grow.

Dig the Holes:

Depending on a lot of factors, you’ll dig your holes to different depths, but the general rule of thumb is to go just shy of the root ball’s height. If your root ball is 14 inches tall, digging a hole 13 inches deep would be great! Ideally, we want just a bit of the ball to be above the soil so it creates the slightest mound.

Remove Shrubs From Pots and Plants:

Begin by compacting the soil at the base of the freshly dug hole to provide a stable foundation for the plant. Carefully remove the plant from the nursery’s plastic container, supporting the root ball as you place it into the hole. Assess the plant’s positioning for any leans or other imperfections, which can be easily corrected by adding or removing topsoil underneath the root ball. Once everything looks just right, you can complete the planting process.

Cover With Topsoil and Mulch:

We’ll fill the hole with nutrient-rich topsoil before thoroughly watering the plant. During the initial adjustment phase, it’s crucial to provide extra watering to help the plant acclimate to its new surroundings, soil mixture, and watering schedule. While adding mulch or rocks around your hedges will certainly compliment your landscaping, make sure to maintain a clear space of at least 4 inches around the plant’s base. This ensures that water can adequately reach the root system.

Contact the Landscape Guys to Install Your Hedges

When properly installed and nurtured during their early years, hedges can serve as a standout feature that elevates both your landscaping and your home’s overall appeal. They not only enhance curb appeal but also offer a sophisticated aesthetic that’s hard not to admire. However, there are numerous factors to consider before you casually head out to dig and plant. If this task seems overwhelming for a weekend project, remember that we’re always here to assist you.

Contact Landscape Guys today to discuss your goals and get an estimate.  We serve the entire Twin Cities area and beyond.