How to Plant a Wildlife HedgeGet Gardening Information on mps-gardening.com. How to Plant a Wildlife Hedge topic will increase your understanding on Gardening Information. We at mps-gardening.com only provide news, articles, information in Gardening Information. Gardening Information at mps-gardening.com provides the most up to date news and articles. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
The hawthorn is one of England's most common hedging shrubs and can be found all over the UK. But did you know that it attracts more than 200 different species of insect, together with the small birds and mammals which feed both on those insects and, in autumn, on the plant's prolific red berries. Native species are the best to use for your hedges as they will encourage a much greater variety of wildlife. It's easy to establish a wildlife hedge and it's really exciting to watch the development of your own private nature reserve. Even if you don't have room for a hedge in your garden, a small clump of shrubs will still help your local wildlife, particularly if you plant them in an undisturbed, sunny place. Be sure to choose species that grow naturally in your local area. Why not think about a mixture of blackthorn, hazel, dogwood, hornbeam (slow growing), holly and alder? The seeds and berries of all of these are good for wildlife, but do be careful if you have young children as they are mildly poisonous and can cause upset stomachs. The best time to plant your hedge is in late autumn so that the shrubs have chance to get settled in before the beginning of winter, particularly if you are using bare-rooted seedlings. To ensure your hedge is dense and attractive to wildlife, use 9 plants per yard in staggered rows. If you are in a rural area you may wish to consider protecting your young plants against rabbits which will nibble the tender shoots! Mix up your different species in clumps - think how varied a country hedge looks. This will make the end result appear more natural. You will also need to discourage weed and grass growth as your new hedge will need plenty of nutrients and moisture from the soil and grasses growing too close will compete for these and slow down the development of your hedge. After a couple of years your hedge will be three to four feet tall, but some of the species will grow more quickly than others which will cause height discrepancies - adding to the natural effect! If you have leggy plants then try coppicing - a traditional, if slightly drastic hedge management practice. To do this, cut the plants back, almost to ground level in the winter. This will encourage vigorous new growth from the base of the plant which will be particularly attractive to wildlife. Don't forget to continue your weed control after coppicing to promote quick regrowth. In three or four years time you should find yourself the proud owner of a good thick, wildlife-friendly hedge. At this stage you can start to let grasses grow, or why not try a good wildflower mixture, at the base of your hedge. This will provide extra food and cover for birds, insects and mammals.
Your hedge should need little maintenance apart from a light trim in late winter, after the berries and seeds have been eaten, but before the birds start to build their new nests. You'll then be able to sit back and enjoy the wildlife in your own thriving wildlife hedge.
|
More Articles:1. The Basics of Small Garden Planning Out in rural Washington State, there is more than enough land to create as large a garden as you like. However if you're like those of us in more urban environments, the space to plant a garden is a scarcity. That is why it's important to know what to look for in that nook, niche, corner or rooftop where you might think you can coax Gaia into gracing you and your neighbors with her presence. There are a few things to keep in mind when looking to create your own secret garden and we're going to d… 2. The Incredible Daylily The Incredible DaylilySome people have referred to daylilies as the poor man’s orchid. Indeed, daylilies, like orchids, are a beauty to behold. Daylilies are no longer just the muted yellow and orange plants grown in road ditches. They come in every color from white to deep purple (almost black) and in a variety of sizes. If you don’t’ have a green thumb, daylilies are the perfect plant. They are relatively carefree and can turn an unused, dull area, into a stunning bed of color and texture. Day… 3. How to Care for Your Outdoor Water Fountains Garden lovers around the world love putting fountains among their flowers, plants, bushes and shrubs. And with the Christmas season upon us in the U.S., many garden lovers may get their very first fountain as a gift this year.Fountains make wonderful gifts year round. They're beautiful to look at, and fit well with almost any landscape. They're also quite serene and have a wonderful calming effect. So if you're getting or giving an outdoor water fountain for a gift this year, here are a few care… 4. Starting Vegetable Garden Seeds and Plants Indoors Starting Plants IndoorsSeeds can be germinated and seedlings started in a box, pan or flowerpot of soil in a window. In addition to having at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, the room must be kept reasonably warm at all times.Washed fine sand and shredded sphagnum moss are excellent media in which to start seeds. Place a layer of easily drained soil in the bottom of a flat and cover this soil with a layer - about three-fourths inch thick - of either fine sand or sphagnum moss. Press th… |
||||
