ᐅ Planting a hedge in an area that was previously overgrown with shrubs
Created on: 11 Feb 2022 09:41
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Stefan001
I am currently working on installing a hedge along the boundary with my neighbor’s property. We have a fairly strict requirement in the development plan that calls for planting a 2m (6.5 ft) wide hedge with a 1m (3.3 ft) gap from the boundary line. Until now, this green strip contained only rough brush, grass, and weeds. On the neighbor’s side, there is a flower bed.
I want/need to plant a privet hedge.
I have already used a motor cultivator to loosen and mix the brush about 20-30cm (8-12 inches) into the soil. Now I’m not sure if that was a wise decision and I’m considering how to treat the bare strip over the coming period so that it looks nice, stays relatively low-maintenance, and prevents weed growth.
I’m thinking of eventually planting ground cover plants in the 1m (3.3 ft) strip next to the neighbor to suppress weeds and avoid leaving a bare area. The hedge itself will not be a full 2m (6.5 ft) wide. However, some time will likely pass before I get to that stage, so I’m wondering what I should do with the soil in the meantime?
I’m not very keen on bark mulch. Would it make sense to lay some kind of landscape fabric over the bare strip initially to kill the weeds, and then plant ground cover later?
I want/need to plant a privet hedge.
I have already used a motor cultivator to loosen and mix the brush about 20-30cm (8-12 inches) into the soil. Now I’m not sure if that was a wise decision and I’m considering how to treat the bare strip over the coming period so that it looks nice, stays relatively low-maintenance, and prevents weed growth.
I’m thinking of eventually planting ground cover plants in the 1m (3.3 ft) strip next to the neighbor to suppress weeds and avoid leaving a bare area. The hedge itself will not be a full 2m (6.5 ft) wide. However, some time will likely pass before I get to that stage, so I’m wondering what I should do with the soil in the meantime?
I’m not very keen on bark mulch. Would it make sense to lay some kind of landscape fabric over the bare strip initially to kill the weeds, and then plant ground cover later?
Cardboard works quite well, but it will decompose after about a year, so the ground won't be fully covered yet.
Honestly, 99% of passersby don’t really care what you do in your garden. Simply breaking up the sight lines casually is enough. Nobody walking by will peer in through a dense, leafless hazel bush. Voyeurs are a different story—privet won’t stop them either. Hazel is incredibly hardy, whether it’s wet, dry, cold, or hot. Elderberry is also very valuable ecologically.
Don’t ask how many people I’ve surprised. Smokers hanging out by the garden wall often don’t even notice you’re there, and people waiting nearby gaze off into your garden without really seeing it. I have a parking area along one property boundary and the main street with a marketplace in front of the house. Ninety-five percent wouldn’t even notice if you were working naked in your garden.
Honestly, 99% of passersby don’t really care what you do in your garden. Simply breaking up the sight lines casually is enough. Nobody walking by will peer in through a dense, leafless hazel bush. Voyeurs are a different story—privet won’t stop them either. Hazel is incredibly hardy, whether it’s wet, dry, cold, or hot. Elderberry is also very valuable ecologically.
Don’t ask how many people I’ve surprised. Smokers hanging out by the garden wall often don’t even notice you’re there, and people waiting nearby gaze off into your garden without really seeing it. I have a parking area along one property boundary and the main street with a marketplace in front of the house. Ninety-five percent wouldn’t even notice if you were working naked in your garden.
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Smialbuddler26 Feb 2022 20:07Stefan001 schrieb:
There must be a 1m (3.3 ft) clear space. Are you absolutely sure you have interpreted the zoning plan correctly? The specification of the distance from the trunk is a) quite common and b) very reasonable in this case.
Maybe you could post the relevant section? (Even if only so we can all be utterly amazed 😉)
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Gartenfreund27 Feb 2022 07:20I looked into this a few years ago, and the following rules applied or apply in NRW.
Hedge up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) high = 0.5 meters (20 inches) distance
Hedge over 2 meters (6.5 feet) = 1 meter (39 inches) distance.
The leaflet also stated that the distance is measured from the branches closest to the property boundary.
I understand this to mean that depending on the height, a clear space of up to one meter (39 inches) must be maintained.
@Stefan001
The part about a 2-meter (6.5 feet) wide hedge must be a mistake. Or did you mean height?
Hedge up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) high = 0.5 meters (20 inches) distance
Hedge over 2 meters (6.5 feet) = 1 meter (39 inches) distance.
The leaflet also stated that the distance is measured from the branches closest to the property boundary.
I understand this to mean that depending on the height, a clear space of up to one meter (39 inches) must be maintained.
@Stefan001
The part about a 2-meter (6.5 feet) wide hedge must be a mistake. Or did you mean height?
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Stefan00127 Feb 2022 08:29It's good that you are thinking about this, but I believe the development plan is quite clear. I have no problem with it at all, as I can easily understand and accept the requirements.
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Smialbuddler27 Feb 2022 23:40Hmm, thanks for the excerpt! Honestly, I still don’t find it entirely clear. But the part about maintaining the required distance "during maintenance" unfortunately supports your interpretation, since the trunk is unlikely to move much after planting.
The required distance also makes sense if there is a cemetery adjacent. Pruning or trimming work should still be possible from your own property.
What about the other side, will there be any light? That’s important to decide what you can plant. If it’s sunny, maybe a wildflower strip could work. That benefits the insects and is basically low-maintenance.
The required distance also makes sense if there is a cemetery adjacent. Pruning or trimming work should still be possible from your own property.
What about the other side, will there be any light? That’s important to decide what you can plant. If it’s sunny, maybe a wildflower strip could work. That benefits the insects and is basically low-maintenance.
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