Blog: Planting Hedges

How to Plant Hedges – A Step by Step Guide

There are many different ways of planting hedges, but one of the biggest benefits of InstantHedge is how easy it is to plant. It truly is breathtakingly fast, with amazing, instant results. There are just a few easy steps to planting a stunning finished hedge at lightning speed:

Measure: Choose the endpoints of your hedge. Pound a stake at each end. It might be helpful to use spray paint or marking flags to keep the trench-digging on the right track.

Trench: Dig a trench that is 12″ deep and at least 18 inches wide (wider will be even easier for getting the hedges in place). If you are planting a shorter hedge and your soil is not very rocky, digging by hand is simple and a good workout! If you are planting a very long hedge and/or your soil is hard with lots of rocks and roots, you may want to rent a mini excavator or trencher.

Soil Prep: If native soil is poor, incorporating compost or bark mulch will help with both water retention and drainage and will add nutrients to the soil.

Plant: The hedges are delivered pre-spaced in their boxes. All you need to do is set them in the trench, end to end. Make sure to place them as close together as possible for perfect spacing – you can even cut the ends off the boxes for a super snug fit.

Backfill: Once the InstantHedge has been placed and everything looks straight, backfill with your native soil. Gently tamp around the edges, but not too much. You don’t want to squeeze all the air out of the soil around the roots.

Water: It is important to provide ample water after planting. Water well with a sprinkler or hose, then lay your drip irrigation, a hedge watering system or install your other chosen irrigation type. Learn more about irrigating hedges here.

Mulch: After the InstantHedge has been installed, spread mulch around the base of the hedge to protect the roots and retain water—a minimal amount of mulch (an inch or two) is sufficient, and will help improve the soil structure and add nutrients. Applying mulch every year is a good practice.

Fertilize: Add a slow-release fertilizer to promote healthy growth for the coming seasons. Learn more in our Fertilizing Hedges blog post

Installing pre-finished, perfectly shaped, thriving InstantHedges allows both home gardeners and commercial landscapers to achieve a fast, finished result through a very simple process. Explore our full line of hedging plants to find the best hedge types for your garden.