World of Hedges

What Is Pleached Hedging? And How To Go About The Process

Pleached trees, also known as espaliered trees, are used to make tunnels, arbors, arches together with hedges. The process can work well with chestnut, hornbeam, beech, among other trees. To understand what pleached hedging is, we have to debunk what pleaching is first. So what is pleaching? This is a garden term that refers to the interlacing of a young tree in a framework so that you can produce a hedge or screen. Th article outlines what is pleached hedging? The technique is a way of growing young trees in a line and tying their branches to form a plane on the trunk. The branches are tied on support to ensure the outcome forms tiers. After this is done, the trees will grow together like they were grafted. This method was one of the defining moments in the garden designing sector in the 17th century. The method was used to provide privacy and also mark grand allees. It has recently gained popularity in this modern era. When you use the pleaching technique to make a united line of young trees, that is referred to as plashed hedging. Before undertaking the process, you must know about the critical care and attention that pleached hedges require. Pleaching hedges can also be described as training or sculpting trees to create a flat framework on top of a clear stem. The branches are trimmed and pruned to create a foliage shape that is more like a hedge, which adds aesthetics value to your garden. It usually adds a focal point in garden architecture. Trees, once established, will need a little assistance from you for them to grow exceptionally well. And when you have incorporated the pleaching hedging technique, this will not be different. The trees have to be pruned and tied to a support unit twice in a growing season. The duration for such work will depend on the labor force you have. You may work the entire day to complete the bi-annual work of ten trees. If you are interested in getting plashed hedges on your garden, then the process has been easier for you than before. This is because various garden centers provide ready-made pleached trees at a fee, of course. If you invest in pre pleached hedge trees, it will go along way in ensuring you get started a lot faster than if you were to begin from scratch. If you embrace DIY pleaching, then you must tie new young supple shots to a support unit using a cross to cross pattern. It would be best if you plaited the lateral branches of a tree with trees planted next in a row on either side. Once you notice that the frame is strong enough, it is only then that you will remove the support system. When pleaching is done to create arbors and tunnels, the support system is always retained. You also have to ensure when creating such tunnels; they should be tall enough so that you will be able to pass through when the pleaching method that spreads the branches to the support system. These are some of the pointers you need to know when it comes to this garden design.

Some Trusted June Gardening Advice 2020

As the beginning segment of summer approaches, most people may want to think about doing some planting. In areas where the growing season is at least four or five months long, you’ll be able to plant a range of vegetables and flowers that will look great both in the ground and in containers. Here are some trusty tips for starting your own garden before the summer becomes too advanced in age. With this June gardening advice 2020 should bestow you with the best growing season of your life. If you are starting your own lovely container garden, getting some nice ceramic pots can make all the difference. Elegant pots look great in the yard, on the patio, or on the porch steps. If you have a knack for the arts, you might even choose to paint a few containers to add your own personal style to your garden. Ceramic is relatively easy to paint with acrylics, and you can choose the designs that make you the happiest. Always use good soil for your new garden. This usually means buying brand-name potting soil that has a history of producing good plants. Many top-notch soils also come with slow-release fertilizer, which feeds for up to six months. You’ll want to fill your containers almost to the top so that your vegetables and flowers have plenty of space to develop extensive root systems, which will ultimately allow for more blossoms. June is an excellent month, depending on your garden zone, to start some of the most well-known vegetables. Tomatoes will do well in a range of soils. Bury the stems deep, as the plants can grow root systems directly from the central stalk. Patio tomatoes, which have been cultivated to do well in smaller containers, are popular with people who live with apartments and who do not have a lot of extraneous space. Consider also planting some peppers. Whether you like the sweet variety or the spicy variety, there are many different ones to choose from. Both cayenne and banana can be made into salsas with a bit of a bite. Peppers love hot weather and will remain stagnant until the weather turns warm for good. Give the plants fertilizer only when they begin to start flowering. You might also take the opportunity to plant some popular flowers. Giant sunflowers, for instance, are relatively easy to grow and will provide grand bursts of color during latter part of summer. Sunflower seeds can be planted directly in the ground, but keep a close eye on them to see if rabbits or other critters are taking bites out of the tender young leaves. Mature sunflowers are generally safe from animals. Be sure that you put plants that need full sun in areas that get at least eight hours of sun-light each day. Many vegetables, like tomatoes and peppers, like as much sun as possible. Partial shade plants, on the other hand, need less light. Armed with an array of gardening advice, you can plant both vegetables and flowers. You’ll be pleased with the results. Visitors to your home will love the bountiful color!

Tips For Hedge Maintenance In The Summer

Keeping your hedge beautiful, neat and healthy requires the correct balance of feed, water and outdoor conditions, but the correct pruning can also make or break plants. Hedges in the summer months need to be properly cut to allow the new growth to take over and form that familiar dense growth, but also to strengthen the vegetation. The following tips can help promote the growth and condition of all hedge types. A hedge is a common garden plant, but require a fair amount of care to achieve its full and healthy green consistency. For a hedge that is newly planted, you must perform routine trims to remove any old branches and leaves and to encourage stronger and deeper root development. This is carried out for a few years until the plant has established and healthy levels of grow have occurred. You can use a handheld shear or similar trimming tool that is sharp and able to cleanly cut through the stems of the plant. Many hedges are cut with a lightweight weed trimmer, but this is not recommended unless the plant is older and is being cut into a shape. Pruning and shaping younger plants with the wrong tools prevents removal of unwanted growth or dead patches and could kill the bush. It is best to conduct a trim in the spring and summer to prepare the plant for the new growth and accelerated development. Using a good pair of gloves and a shears, you must examine the hedge and identify areas of weakness or dead branches that need to be cut off. Trimming is an easy process if you know what to look for and receive the proper management tips from a professional. You can use a hand trimmer to keep the plants short and neat and proves particularly useful for larger hedge types. These tools provide better control and help target specific areas of these plants without making the mistake of chopping too much and compromising the health of hedges. Once established and a few years old, you can clip the hedge into any type of shape or keep it flat and neat along the top. Depending on the type of hedge, learn about its water requirements to maintain it development and health. Many plants can tolerate long periods without water while others will need to remain moist at the roots to facilitate healthy development. If you are unsure about its water needs, visit a local gardening facility to discuss the maintenance of the plant. It is a good idea to remove all the dead flowers after the summer bloom to prevent these sections from sapping energy from the plant. Look out for decaying branches or areas of disease that would compromise the integrity and any future growth. With the right approach, these plants can be kept strong and in the best condition throughout the year. Keeping a hedge neatly trimmed and well cared for during the summer period can help produce dense growth and a healthy bush. A hand shears or electrically operated tool provides greater control over the trimming process. Simple care in the spring and summer months can provide an abundance of future growth.

What Is A Bare Root Hedge

What Is A Bare Root Hedge

Many plants do exist in this world. However, not all of them have the same characteristics. This has led to consumers asking many questions, such as what is a bare root hedge? A bare root plant means a plant that has exposed roots instead of being covered by the soil. These plants are normally available within a certain period of the year, which is between November and April. This period is also referred to by the gardening world as the dormant season. The dormant season typically makes it possible for plants to be easily moved, stored, and also replanted without damaging the root system of the plants. This has made it possible for many people to enjoy a wide variety of advantages when they choose this type of plant, as highlighted below. Bare rooted plants normally require fewer resources during production, which includes fertilizers, packaging, and water. This makes it possible for one to save both money and time. The bare roots also weigh significantly less, which makes it cheaper to ship. This advantage also makes the retail price of the plants affordable, especially for complex and lengthy landscaping tasks over large areas. Since bare roots typically take up a smaller amount of space when compared to pot-grown or even root balls, then their nurseries can carry a wider selection of such plants, which has resulted in a greater variety for customers when it comes to hedging species. This is not the case with other plants that normally require ample space, thus limiting the production of numerous species. The other advantage of this plant type is that the root mass is more significant compared to other grown plants. The great this about having a huge root mass is that the crops will absorb more minerals and also nutrients. This ensures that you have a healthy as well as a thriving hedge. The plants are known to be lightweight, meaning that you will not have a hard time lifting them. You will not have to add additional manpower when you wish to maneuver the hedging into the ground. You also have to note that the plant has low maintenance requirements. The minute you plant them when the ground is damp, the hedge will, in turn, establish themselves successfully without requiring constant watering. The other nice thing about the hedging plant is that there is no transition from container soil to the local soil. You will not have to experience stunted growth as there would be no difference in the soils. The plants usually establish themselves fast as well as successfully. The roots initially grow without the soil surrounding them. They, therefore, can thrive and adapt quickly. An important factor you need to note is that the hedging plant needs to be submerged on the ground as soon as they are delivered. Using bare roots is an efficient way to create a healthy hedge. When they are delivered to you, make sure that the roots are kept moist during the period that they will be exposed before planting them.

Perfect Hedge Maintenance Over Winter

Hedges are great because they give you privacy and look really great. They may even increase the value of your property if they surround your home, or give your business a neat appearance that may help draw people in. They do require maintenance though, and you cannot maintain them the same way every season. There are special steps to take for hedge maintenance over winter, but if you follow them closely, you will have thriving plants come spring. Besides making sure they don’t die, you also want to keep your hedge in order because failure to do so could mean you are not in compliance with the law. If a neighbor or passerby sees them overgrown and blocking the view or even blocking people from safely walking on the sidewalk, they can file a complaint with the local council. If they do, you could get hit with a hefty fine, in addition to the cost of pruning back each hedge. So stay compliant with the law and take proper care of your foliage. In winter, that proper care starts with assessing the health of the plants. Look for dead or dying leaves, or discoloration. These could be signs of a bigger problem that needs to be attended to immediately. If you don’t fix the issue, it could spread and infect the rest of your plants, which could be catastrophic. If every plant is healthy, then you must mulch next. Start by removing any leaves, sticks or rocks from underneath each hedge. Not only does this make the plants look better and your yard look cleaner and well kept, but it also preps the soil for the next step. Then spread a nice, thick layer of mulch over the soil around each individual plant. This helps to keep the roots warmer during the cold winter months. You can go with dark brown mulch to match the soil, or if you want to go for something different, pick a colored mulch to make the dreary winter days a little brighter. It also helps ensure the soil does not dry out, since winter can be very dry with little to no humidity. In addition, leaving the mulch year round prevents weeds from taking root, so you have far less tedious gardening work to do. In the late winter, right before spring starts, you will want to prune all your hedges. This means you take a good, sharp pair of clippers and pare them back. This encourages growth once spring starts and helps keep everything nice and healthy. Do this before the plant starts producing buds, or else you may actually stunt its growth instead of encouraging it. If you have a lot of hedges, you may need some help. There are plenty of professional services that are happy to prune all of your bushes for you. Many do it twice a year, so you can pay up front for one session or pay for a full year and possibly get a discount. Either way, schedule service early, as the pre-spring slots fill up quickly, and you do not want the schedule to fill up before you can get in.

The Benefits Of Mixed Native Hedging

Over the years mixed indigenous hedges have gained popularity due to the many advantages that come with such an undertaking, which is not only beneficial to your garden but also the local areas. The benefits range from environmental benefits to wildlife interests. This piece will highlight some of the advantages that you get to enjoy with mixed indigenous fencing. Here is more on the benefits of mixed native hedging. Indigenous hedges being rich in species diversity, nutrients can attract a variety of wildlife including insects, animals, and birds. The assortment of such species will give you a chance to experience seeds, berries, and colorful foliage throughout the season. This will allow you to enjoy a continuous year-round landscape feature. Insects normally rely on native fencing plantations to survive. These provide a sustainable ecosystem in that plants, insects, animals, and microorganisms can co-exist in a better way and form a balanced system and biodiversity. Over the past years, a huge decrease in natural and established hedgerows throughout the country has been reported. This has also led to a reduction in some of the native wildlife species. However, planting a hedgerow in a garden will aid in making sure you contribute greatly to restoring natural balance. A lot of other hedges usually require regular maintenance, but this is not the case when it comes to indigenous hedge. The hedge normally looks its best when it is left to grow in various colors as well as texture. While these fences typically require minimal maintenance, if left unattended for a long time, it may need a trim. To avoid such a predicament, one ought to prune them yearly. The other benefit of hedging is the attractive site it will leave in your garden. When one combines various foliage, fruit, as well as flowers, it will create a beautiful feature in any garden. This will build an amazing decorative backdrop for the other plants in the garden. The hedges can also act as a boundary for your property with more features than a normal fence. They come in handy because they naturally reduce traffic noise and serve as wind-breaks. They are semi-permeable, which puts them in the best position to slow down wind gusts. This will, in turn, help to protect the other, more sensitive plants in your garden. There are various types of mixed indigenous hedging, depending on your location, which may include blackthorn based, hawthorn based, or coastal hedging packs as well as garden hedging packs. All these packs are unique in their own right and can be suitable depending on what a client may want. They may be ideal for fields, paddocks and garden purposes. Before you go ahead and purchase any mixed indigenous packs from a store, it is wise to conduct your due diligence. This may help you not to cry foul play at the end of the day. First, you need to ensure the firm you are buying from is insured and bonded. They should also have a lot of experience when it comes to fencing and they should be licensed to show their legitimacy.

What You Need To Know About Hedge Maintenance In The Summer

Although most foliage grows dormant in the winter, there are a number of things that you can do to keep your outdoor greenery looking amazing year-round. This is certainly the case if you are the proud owner of new or existing hedges. Following is everything you need to know about hedge maintenance in the summer. Winter is generally the best time to prune these bushes vigorously given that this is when they’ll be lying dormant. Notwithstanding this fact, performing a little minor upkeep throughout the year can keep these features looking crisp and healthy. It will also improve the overall appearance of the landscape by preserving the crisp, neat edges that you worked so hard to create during maintenance and spring. When performing this task, however, you want to make sure that you are using the proper tools, and that you are maintaining these tools correctly. If any cutting utensils are not adequately sharpened or if they are experiencing other maintenance-related issues, they may wind up doing more harm than good. Thus, before you get started, take stock of the equipment that you have on hand and get everything sharpened and oiled up. One tools that you might need is a simple hand pruner. This is going to work best for small branches and stems. If you intend to do away with bigger branches, you will need to have lopper. Given that aggressive pruning is not often recommended for the summer months, you don’t have to worry about having a quality pruning saw until you’re ready to start removing extra-large features later in the year. Be sure to wear gloves so that you aren’t sustaining a lot of painful scratches and cuts along the way. Another form of personal protection equipment that you want to have in your cache is a good pair of glasses. These will protect your eyes from sawdust, small-moving debris, and tiny particulates. If you can, try investing in safety goggles are glasses as these will provide the best head-on and peripheral protection. Trim with authority and purpose. Making clean, crisp cuts is going to put the least amount of stress on the tree. Even though summer can be significantly less stressful on these features than the typical winter weather extremes, gnawing slowly away on various branches with dull blades is not going to promote optimum hedge health. Make sure to haul all removed debris away from your yard, especially if you live in a region that’s known for termite problems. This should be able to break down naturally in a safe place, such as in your compost bin. Dealing with your yard waste in this fashion will limit the environmental impact of your landscaping design, and give you plenty of good compost for nourishing your foliage in the future. To ensure adequate light and air, place your focus on thinning heavier areas out. You always want to make sure that you are never trimming away more than quarter of the hedge’s greenery, so as not to create shock and other problems. Finally, always be sure to clean your cutting tools thoroughly before putting them away as this can be vital for preventing the spread of disease and other problems.

Finding The Best Hedges For Hot Summers

Finding The Best Hedges For Hot Summers

The right landscaping additions can go a long way towards ensuring that homes are kept cool and comfortable throughout the warmer months of the year. Planting shade trees and tall hedges for hot summers can also help to reduce cooling costs. Homeowners who are striving to create and maintain a more affordable and energy efficient household would do well to assess the state of their exterior. The impact that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may have on a room or interior area can often be far greater than many property owners might realize. Shading a wall or protecting windows from sunlight exposure makes it much easier to maintain a comfortable interior temperature. Trees, bushes and other landscaping projects and additions can be a valuable asset for lowering utility costs. Exterior materials that are subjected to hours and hours of direct sunlight may also experience premature aging and accelerated wear. Shading specific areas of a home’s exterior may go a long way towards ensuring paint, siding and other materials are able to last as long as possible. The potential savings made possible by such efforts can quickly add up. A home’s curb appeal is another matter which owners would do well to consider. An exterior design or landscaping layout that is flat and unoriginal may leave properties looking far from attractive. A few simple upgrades and well chosen additions can transform a space and allow residential property owners to give their home a far more stylish and eye-catching look. Spending time outdoors can be far from comfortable on days where the mercury just continues to rise. Shaded porches, patios, decks and other exterior environments can provide a more comfortable space as well as a more enjoyable atmosphere. The right bush or tree can often be just as effective as a covered enclosure and can often be had for only a fraction of the price. Learning more about different landscaping options is always a smart move. Knowing where to find the best service provider or which shade trees and other options may be best suited to a specific area allows for smarter decisions to be made. Homeowners who have only a limited understanding of their situation, needs and the available resources may find making the right decision to be far more difficult. Landscaping upgrades can entail considerable expense and homeowners who have only limited funds to work with would be wise to keep an eye on their bottom line. Reducing cooling costs can help save money in the long run. Performing a detailed cost analysis on any project or upgrade may be worthwhile. Choosing to work with a landscaping service or contractor who can provide the best results is another matter that should never be left to chance. Working with a second rate service provider could be a costly and potentially disastrous mistake. Households who choose to work with only the best landscapers may be better equipped to complete their project or upgrade without having to worry about spending too much money or dealing with other problems which may crop up along the way.

Find Out How To Cut A Hedge Properly

Hedges have long been an important part of landscaping. At one time, these were strategically planted and grown in order to create dense, property barriers to keep unwanted parties out. Now, however, people can cultivate them to create more privacy on their residential or commercial lands, or to simply add aesthetic beauty to their outdoor designs. If you currently have this type of foliage in your yard, you may want to learn how to cut a hedge properly. Following are a few, helpful tips for getting started. It is first important to have the right tools for these efforts. Although you might have a robust collection of gardening equipment, you should not that most landscaping tools are usually designed for very specific tasks. Quality hedge trimmers or clippers are absolutely vital for getting professional-looking results. Having the right equipment is also essential for preserving the health and integrity of this foliage, especially when engaging in any aggressive cutting practices. Always make sure that you have the right protective equipment as well. For instance, you definitely want to have a durable pair of gardening or landscaping gloves in order to guard your hands from pokes, pricks and other mild to moderate injuries. Property owners are also advised to don protective eye-ware as well in order to avoid having debris get in the eyes. If you will be using gas or electric-powered equipment for these efforts, rather than using manual clippers, earplugs could be a must as well. This will prevent the ears from being damaged by excessive noise pollution. When purchasing hedge cutting or trimming equipment, always ask your supplier for recommendations on protective gear, especially if you have never bought or used these tools before. Before getting started, lay down a quality tarp. This will make it infinitely easier for you to clean up the resulting debris when the work is done. Next, use hand pruners to begin thinning shrubs out by eliminating any growth that you neither want or need. Areas that have a thick, outer covering should be your primary target for these efforts. It is also important to get rid of all suckers. These are relatively small-sized branches that can be found at the very trunk base. Sprouts should be removed as well. These smaller limbs typically grow from more dominant branches and in a vertical direction. Each of these growths are known for leeching nutrients and support from the very portions of hedges that gardeners are interested in maintaining. The removal of dead or dying limbs is also a vital part of these efforts. Not only is this essential for beautifying the foliage, but it also helps to eliminate growth that might sap the life and nutrients out of other, more successful limbs. These will usually be found at the very base of the tree. Your ultimate goal during these efforts is to avoid making the top of the shrub wider than the plant it at its base. This particular cutting strategy will leave the shrub narrower and less dense at the top and fuller and more dense at the bottom. This will in turn create holes that allows sunlight to pour in. Over time, this will create a thick, lush and full look throughout, that gives the entire shrub more level appearance overall.

Tips For Proper Box Hedge Care And Maintenance

Boxwood, Buxus or Buxus Sempervirens, is an evergreen plant that grows mainly in the UK and Australia areas. It requires a specific type of care that if not well done, the plant will not flourish. It can be grown in pots, sunlight or shade and where it is grown will depend on the type of care that it needs. Here are some tips for proper box hedge care.   If you plant your box hedge in a planter or pot it will depend mainly on you for its care and treatment. It will need to be watered regularly as its roots depend on moisture and can dry out and affect the growth of the plant and its condition. You should water the plant when the soil is mostly dry so as to not over water the box plant as this can also have adverse effects. It will also need more moisture at the beginning of its growth stages in order to establish the root system.   When you plant your box shrub in a planter or pot you will also need to feed it. You can use a specialised fertiliser that will help it to remain healthy and to grow. A good fertiliser will supply the Buxus with the nutrients that it needs. Well rotted manure is the ideal type of fertiliser for the box plant but you can also use other types of commercial fertiliser.   Box plants can grow in the shade or in sunlight and its care will depend on where it is located. You should not, however, trim your box hedge plant in the direct sunlight as this will cause scorching of the leaves. Use a topiary hedge trimmer and trim the plant leaves straight and evenly.   Since the buxus is a dense plant it is difficult for water or rainfall to get to the root system. This is why it is important to water the plant sufficiently to keep the roots healthy. The plant will flourish with sufficient moisture but remember not too much or it will affect the plant and its growth process.   The best time to prune the box plant is in late May or during the first week of June. The new growth that comes out in the later part of spring can be identified by the lighter green leaves on the plant. The new growth also must be slightly leathery in appearance before they are trimmed. You can determine this by feeling the leaves for this leathery texture.   The box hedge will need pruning again sometime in late September or October. This will keep it neat and tidy for the coming Winter months. Remember to never trim the hedge in direct sunlight as this can cause the leaves to scorch and turn brown.   Always make sure that when you first plant the hedge in the ground that you give it sufficient water so its root system can become established. Once the root system is established in the ground, it won’t require watering as frequently as in the beginning. With these tips, your box hedge plant should flourish and grow and continue to provide many years of natural beauty and ambience for your yard.