Advice on planting native hedgerow please

I'm developing a piece of waste land as a wildlife garden. I am planting a hedgerow on the long thin spit of land which runs behind a low wall by a footpath.

 Next week 70 native hedgerow bare root plants are arriving. I cleared the weeds from the long thin piece of ground where they are to go back in September. The ground was a nightmare; very stony/sandy and uneven. The council delivered a huge amount of compost two months ago and dumped it on the land - it must be at least 18 inches thick.

Can I plant the bare root plants straight into this? It was really impossible to break into the ground below without a pick axe.

The photo was taken back in January before I cleared the land. The compost now comes up almost level with the wall.

Lovely idea, I should think 18 inches of compost would be OK. The roots will probably be able to force their way into the stony stuff you couldn't dig, when the get that far. Keep an eye on it for shrinking away as it continues to break down

Helen,

Is it your garden on the left of the picture behind the fence?

Joe

great idea helen once established will look great do you know the names of the hedgerows you are planting? will be great for the birds and other wildlife.

Go for it - most hedgerow plants are incredibly hardy - but I would water them regularly next year whilst they establish, and if it is really hot(!) erect some shade. Once established next year you have a hedge for life.

Thank you very much for the replies.

It's the native hedgerow mix from Hopes Grove Nurseries which includes 70% quickthorn, with the balance from: blackthorn, common alder, green beech, common dogwood, english oak, field maple, guelder rose, hazel, hornbeam, wild privet, dog rose, scotch rose, sea buckthorn, spindle, wayfaring tree and wild crabapple.

Yes, it's the land on the left (the primary school is on the right). The main area of land is approx 20metres x 12 metres x 12 metres and has been planted with bulbs: snowdrops, dwarf narcissi, snakeshead fritillaries, wood anemones and sown with a woodland meadow mix from Scotia Seeds.

I've also got other shrubs and wild roses coming for the main part of the garden. Buddleia, cotoneaster, scallicarpa, berberis, viburnum, rosa rugosas and pyracantha.

 This picture was taken in June when I was in the process of digging out all the ground elder. The meadow was sown at the end of August and is starting to show - I've just raked 30 sacks of leaves off it.

We're in Bonnybridge, central Scotland so the chances of it being really hot are distinctly slim but I will make sure it stays well watered. 

It's Bonnyview Wildlife Garden on Facebook! Please like it!

Helen,

Thanks for your reply; I was concerned about maintenance, but if you have access to the back of the hedge that's great. The side that faces the path will need to be well trimmed, especially as there are some spiky characters in the mix. Looks a super project!

Joe 

Thanks Joe. Hoping for some dry weather next week - it's been very wet and dreich here.

Managed to plant 70 hedgerow plants and wild roses! We're due another lot of torrential rain tomorrow so I am very happy to get them all in on a fine day.

Well done. That will be wonderful in a year or 2

Thanks - will post a photo next summer!

Hi Helen - what a great project.  I just ordered some bare root native hedging for my garden but I have opted for the thorny variety due to unwanted visitors vandalising our garden and will be watching with interest.  Quick question, did you use any root hormone when planting your bare root plants?

Good luck and looking forward to the pictures 

If you want to encourage a wide diversity of wildlife then perhaps make small holes oin the back walls to bring nesting song birds into the area