2020/21 - What's made you happy today?

A nicely laid hedge

OMG! Did you do that?? I would love a hedge like that.

I cant take the credit, father in law and sister in law did the technical work. Weve got approx 150' or so of mixed deciduous hedge all laid now. It's mainly hawthorn, with a little field maple, hazel, guielder rose, some less wanted brambles, a random bit of lilac, a gooseberry (no idea) and a patch of something that we're not sure what it is.

I planted hawthorn, sloe, field maple, hazel and guelder rose - about 180? Exactly 2 years ago now.I would love to know what to do...too early to lay?

It was a cold horrible job to plant them in...was wondering this year whether the rose was a good thing to plant. It is so tall. I was wondering should I cut some of the stems out this year.

It depends what you want from your hedge. Our main priority long term is stock proofing as we boarder a field which normally has cattle in. That's why we have approx70- 80% hawthorn (blackthorn/slow is equally as good) in ours. The other bits are good wildlife interest. If you feel any bits of rose are getting too tall you can either cut em out or cut them back. As for laying a new hedge I'd say at least 3 years after planting.  We did ours after 5 but we're in an exposed site with plenty wind. 

Ours is for stock proofing. It used to be cows...but now it's just sheep. I was sick and tired of bulls looking into my kitchen while happily munching on my plants! Since we've done the hedge - it's just sheep. But I cried the last time they got in  nit just eating my garden but the holes in the ground they leave behind.  I also wanted a varied hedge for birds and wildlife. I put the roses in as I love the flowers and the hips are gorgeous- it also matches the other hedges close by. But they are much more vigorous than the rest of the hedge.