How do you plant a hedge step by step?
By Service Plus Stockholm ABUpdated 5 min read
Short answer
How do you plant a hedge step by step?
A hedge is best planted in April–May or September–October, in a 40–50 cm deep and wide trench with compost mixed in. The plants are set in a straight line with 2–5 plants per metre depending on species, watered thoroughly straight after planting and covered with bark or wood chips to prevent drying out. The right planting depth, even watering during the first weeks and a straight line marked with string or stakes determine how neat and dense the hedge grows.
When during the year should you plant a hedge?
The best times to plant a hedge in the Stockholm area are April–May and September–October. The soil is then neither frozen nor dried out, giving the plants time to establish roots before winter cold or summer heat sets in.
Bare-root plants, which are common for hornbeam and beech hedges, are best planted in autumn or early spring while they are dormant. Potted plants or those with a root ball can in principle be planted throughout the growing season, but the summer months of July–August require considerably more watering and are therefore not recommended if you want to minimise maintenance.
How we prepare the ground
It is the groundwork that decides whether the hedge is dense in five years. We dig one continuous trench rather than separate holes, because the roots then grow together into a single system, and mix the existing soil with compost so the plants do not sit in a pocket of bought soil that the water runs past.
We deal with stones, old roots and perennial weeds that would otherwise come back between the plants, and check that the depth works with the plot boundary and with where the hedge is allowed to stand under the local plan. Soil and plants are materials and fall outside the RUT deduction; the labour qualifies for up to 50 percent.
How our specialist plants the hedge
The spacing is set by species and intended final height, not by what happens to come out even, and the plants are lined up against a string so the hedge reads straight from the street. The root collar has to end up at ground level: planted too deep the roots suffocate, too shallow they dry out.
After planting it is watered thoroughly, the soil is covered and taller newly planted hedges are staked against the wind. Our planting specialist Flora goes through the watering with you before we leave, because the first year decides it, and many people add the first season's watering to the same booking.
How we look after the hedge in its first weeks
The first season decides whether a hedge becomes dense or stays patchy, and almost all of it is water. A newly planted hedge needs deep, infrequent watering rather than a little every day, because shallow water keeps the roots up in the drying zone.
Feeding waits until the following spring, since new roots are easily damaged by too much nutrition straight away. Service Plus can take the first season's watering on a schedule, including while you are away, and look over the hedge at the same time.
What are the most common mistakes when planting a hedge?
Most problems with newly planted hedges are due to incorrect planting depth, soil that is too dry, or uneven spacing between plants. A common mistake is also planting too close to the property boundary without considering how much the hedge will spread out over a few years.
- Planting too shallow, causing the roots to dry out
- Too little water immediately after planting
- Uneven spacing between plants, which gives a crooked hedge
- No consideration of final size when choosing distance to the property boundary or path
- Planting in clay soil without soil improvement, which causes oxygen deficiency in the roots
How Service Plus helps with hedge planting
Service Plus Stockholm AB plans and plants hedges for homeowners, housing cooperatives (BRF) and property companies throughout Greater Stockholm, from single gardens to entire blocks on ongoing contracts. Flora, the planting specialist, chooses the right species, spacing and planting depth based on the soil and location, and always provides a free quote with a clear price before work begins.
When the hedge later needs to be shaped year after year, Tuja, the hedge specialist, is happy to take over the ongoing maintenance so the hedge stays dense and at the right height.
Common follow-up questions
Can you plant a hedge in the middle of summer?
It is possible but requires considerably more watering, as warm and dry periods put extra stress on newly planted roots. Spring or early autumn is easier to succeed with.
How deep should the planting trench be?
Normally you dig 40–50 cm deep and wide, depending on the plant's root ball, so the roots have room to spread out without bending.
Do you need to fertilise straight away when planting?
No, wait until the following spring, as new roots can easily be damaged by too much nutrition right after planting. Instead, focus on even watering during the first season.
How far from the property boundary should you plant a hedge?
A common guideline in Stockholm is at least 60 cm from the property boundary for lower hedges, but the distance should be adapted to how wide the hedge becomes when fully grown. Check with your neighbour or the municipality if the hedge is planned near a street or footpath.
