How to Plant a Bare Root Hedge

Bare root hedging plants are much cheaper than pot-grown alternatives and often establish better. Here is how to plant them successfully.

When to plant

Bare root plants are only available during the dormant season, typically November to March. The best time to plant is:

• November to December: Ideal – soil is still warm, plants establish before winter.
• February to March: Good – avoid if ground is frozen or waterlogged.
• January: Possible but ground may be frozen or too wet.

Choosing plants

Bare root plants come in different sizes:

• Transplants (30-60cm): Cheapest option, take longer to form a hedge.
• Feathered (60-90cm): Good balance of cost and speed.
• Heavy (90-120cm+): More expensive but give quicker results.

For most hedges, 60-90cm plants offer the best value.

How many plants?

Spacing depends on the species and how quickly you want a dense hedge:

• Single row: 3-5 plants per metre (30-40cm apart).
• Double row (staggered): 5-7 plants per metre, rows 30-40cm apart.

Double rows create a thicker hedge faster but use more plants.

Preparing the ground

1. Mark out the hedge line with string.
2. Dig a trench 30-45cm wide and deep enough for the roots.
3. Fork over the bottom to break up compaction.
4. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure if the soil is poor.
5. Remove any perennial weeds – they are hard to control once the hedge is planted.

Planting

1. Soak the roots in water for an hour before planting if they look dry.
2. Spread the roots out in the trench – do not bunch them up.
3. Plant at the same depth as they were in the nursery (look for the soil mark on the stem).
4. Backfill with soil, firming gently as you go.
5. Water well after planting.
6. Apply a thick mulch of bark or compost around the base, keeping it away from the stems.

Aftercare

• Watering: Keep well-watered in dry spells for the first two years.
• Weeding: Keep the base of the hedge weed-free – competition slows growth.
• Mulching: Top up mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Pruning: Cut back by a third after planting to encourage bushy growth from the base.

Common mistakes

• Letting roots dry out: Keep roots covered and moist until planting.
• Planting too deep: This can cause stem rot.
• Not watering: Even in winter, newly planted hedges need water in dry spells.
• Skipping the first prune: Unpruned plants grow tall and thin. Cutting back encourages bushy growth.