Hedge prep

I'm going to plant a new hedge and so today I prepared the ground in readiness. It is going to be 20 feet long and will divide the patio area from the new flower garden, eventually replacing a wire fence. It will be kept to a maximum four feet in height so as not to obscure the view beyond from the vantage point of the patio which is on a higher level.

Patience is needed to wait for young hedging plants to actually become a hedge so it helps to get them off to a good start by preparing the soil well. This might not be practical for a long farm field boundary but on a garden scale its a different matter. When the bare rooted plants are delivered it is also helpful for the ground to be ready so that they can be planted more or less straight away.

I've decided on ordinary hawthorn. It is often tempting to choose an evergreen hedge for 'all year interest' but I think a deciduous hedge can be more interesting as it marks the changing seasons. The twiggy black skeletal framework over winter is attractive in itself and the new leaf buds opening n Spring gladden the heart. Hawthorn is also more in keeping with our rural or agricultural setting. Nothing wrong with box or yew where a more formal look is desired of course.

The gate into the chicken run was moved 
to the right to accommodate the future
hedge.