Get the timing right and your hedge will romp away. Here's when to plant — and why autumn often beats spring.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
A new hedge is a long-term investment, so it's worth getting the timing right. The good news is that the UK's mild, damp climate gives you a genuinely useful window for planting — here's how to make the most of it.
For most bare-root and rootball hedges, late autumn through early winter is ideal. The soil is still warm from summer — which encourages root growth before the cold really sets in — yet the plants are dormant above ground, so they suffer far less shock.
That head start means a healthier, faster-establishing hedge than one planted in spring.
Container-grown and potted hedging can be planted almost year-round, and spring is a perfectly good time if autumn wasn't practical. Just be aware the plants will need more watering in their first season to cope with the growing season arriving while they're still settling in.
Bare-root plants should never sit in a frosty hole, and no hedge will thank you for being planted into bone-dry summer soil unless you can keep it consistently watered. If the ground is waterlogged or frozen, wait — a few weeks is far better than a planting that fails.
Whatever the season, prepare the ground well. Dig a generous, well-aerated planting trench, improve the soil with compost, and water the plants in thoroughly. A little mulch around the base keeps moisture in and weeds out while the hedge establishes.
From landscaping to a full planting-style overhaul, the JFL Gardens team works across Surrey and London.
