Digging a ditch
If the hedge is to have a ditch beside it, the bed should be prepared first, and then the ditch dug. The ditch’s dimensions depend on the soil and on the level required to provide an even fall for good drainage. In general, the ditch should be between 2-3’ (600-900mm) wide at the top, tapering to 1-1’6” (300-450mm) at the bottom, and should be 1’6”-3’ (450-900mm) deep. The taper or batter is important to minimise soil slump. Light soils require a more gradual batter than clay soils.
Spread the topsoil thinly over the prepared strip where the hedge is to be planted, as shown below. Scatter any subsoil.
On top of a bank
The advantages of planting a hedge on a bank are:
- The soil remains well drained even on wet land.
- The bank gives good rooting conditions for the hedge plants.
- The bank itself forms a windbreak, barrier and habitat for wildlife.
The disadvantages are:
- The labour cost is higher than for flat planting.
- If dry or windy conditions prevail in the season after planting, the hedge may struggle to establish.
The general method for building a bank by hand is outlined below. On many sites, it will be economic to hire a digger and operator to do the work. The specialised task of building a high West Country turf or stone hedge is described in another handbook in this series, Dry Stone Walling.
- Cut out and set aside turfs from the site of the bank and the adjacent ditch. The ditch helps drain the field and provides the material for constructing the bank. Cut ditches along both sides only if the field requires them for adequate drainage.
- Prepare the bed along the line of the bank. If working by hand, first dig out the topsoil from the bank site, then fork over the second spit.
- Dig the ditch, putting the topsoil to one side. Place the subsoil from the ditch at the bottom of the bank, building it up in layers of a few inches. Tamp each layer firmly into place. Build the bank with a batter of between 1:3 and 1:6.
- Replace the topsoil which you have previously set aside to finish off the bank. This ensures that the hedge plants will be rooted in good soil.
- Stabilise the bank sides with turf or dry stone walling. Use the turf saved from the top of the bank and ditch, and cut out more from the field headlands as necessary. See Chapter 13 – Banking and turfing for further details.
On the side of a bank
This method is for use on wet land where a bank and ditch are required for drainage, but where, in addition, the growing hedge needs protection from strong winds in exposed situations. Only one row of plants can be placed.
As shown in the diagram, the hedge can either be planted into the side of the bank, or on a ledge at the foot of the bank. The latter method takes up more room, but has the advantage of keeping soil from slipping into the ditch. It is also easier to plant. In either case the bank should be built as outlined above, with the topsoil put at the base of the bank where the hedge roots will benefit.
