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I posted on the Blog a wee while ago, and on the thread about Hawthorn. I intend to plant new hedge about 20m long with the species picked for butterflies.
The plants are arriving on Friday, so I now actually have to do some work.
In my photo section I put up a couple of photos of where the hedge was to go, and another of the same thing with the ground cleared. I have also bought a length of membrane to lay as well. The plan was to plant an offset double row- how far apart should the plants be? and how far apart should the rows be?
I assume I plant THROUGH the membrane? Does that mean I just dig/poke wee holes for the roots. How deep do they need to go?
Some of the websites say I should be a) watering (they're kidding- it's tipping down here!) and b) feeding as I plant. Is that right? Should I?
Can you feel my panic? Sorry to bombard.
When thou seest an eagle, thou seest a portion of genius; lift up thy head!
Hi AQ
Personally I'd avoid bare-roots once growing season has started. You could buy potted saplings at any time of year and plant them, but it depends how flush you are - for 10 plants it would be expensive. My vote would be to pop something like a foxglove in the gap for this year, knowing that it will grow tall but be done by autumn and can come out ready for a bare-rooted whip to take its place.
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw
Thanks both of you. The nursery where I bought the bare roots is a bit unhappy that their buckthorn didn't take, so I think they might do me a deal on saplings. I can live with gaps (crivens- you could drive a coach and horses through this hedge!), so if I can't get a deal, I'll wait till autumn and start again