Privet hedge, newbie help needed

lupyloo

Hi
This month I have kicked off my garden (I know Im a little late), up to now I have dug out a veggie patch, levelled the other half of garden, got loads of free seeds and cheap plants, thanks to OP on here and I am composting. Yesterday my uncle gave me 14 privet hedges to make a screen between mine and neighbours garden. At present there is only one of those horrible 3' high mesh fences. As we have young children I really want some privacy. The thing is I havent a clue how to set them away or what care they will require. After reading some of the posts on here Im still none the wiser, any ideas pleaase

Rummer

We just dug ours in watered it well on dry days and let it be. Remember next year when it is a bit more established you can take cuttings off it to establish new plants to extend the hedge or fill in any gaps.

Rummer

Oh and we lightly trimmed the tops I think once last year to keep them growing at the same height and to encourage them to thicken out.

lupyloo

Thanks for this, no need for anything extra when I plant them then?

Rummer

We didn't do anything else but other posters might have different suggestions.

Golden_Anemone

Privet is a greedy feeder so will do much better if you feed the soil when you plant it - fish blood and bone is ideal - mix a handful into the soil in the planting hole and soil you are back filling with. If you can get hold of some well rotted organic matter (garden compost, leaf mould or well rotted horse manure) to put into the planting holes will help ensure it doesn't dry out in it's first year while the roots are getting established.

Any new hedge needs regular watering in its first summer and a light top dressing of fish blood and bone on the soil around the plants every spring afterwards will be a big help too.

A light trim when you have planted them will encourage side shoots and help ensure you have a dense hedge more quickly.

Finally, don't plant them right up against the wire fence as they won't have any room to grow on the fence side - about 18 inches to 2 feet out is better. Good luck.

Rummer

Thanks for the tip about the fish blood and bone I really want my hedge to hurry up and grow!

magoogy

my grandad always told me to clip the sides if you want it high and to clip the top if you want it to grow wide....it works for me cos i have some really good hedges in my garden on normal privet which have only took a couple of years to establish (pics are in the pic thread)....

Rummer

ooohhh no have I been doing it wrong?