Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2007 | Page 65

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING

Over the years we have
planted many miles of hedges
across the island and we
like to prepare the ground
by either spraying off the
grass with a glysophate
based chemical or removing
the turf before planting.
A young hedge plant is
called a ‘whip’ and looks just
like a stick with a few roots
at one end. We recommend
planting a double staggered
row of five whips per metre.
Why wait hundreds of years
for a mixed hedge, when you
can plant one straight away?
Depending on location, soil
and type of hedge required,
we suggest 80% is made up
of hawthorn, blackthorn, field
maple or a mix of all three.
The balance being dogwood,
spindleberry, guelder rose,
hazel and crab apple. I like to
see hedgerow trees and the
occasional oak, ash, horse
chestnut or sweet chestnut
could be planted every 20-30
metres to offer shade or shelter
in years to come. Livestock
may be a consideration
and some horse owners
prefer to leave out the more

life

poisonous berried plants.
Protection against rabbits and
in some cases hares is vital,
which is why we see rows of
plastic spiral guards supported
by bamboo canes, not the most
attractive countryside feature
but essential all the same.
The hard work isn’t over
yet. Your new hedge must
be nurtured for at least the
next three years. Mulching is
best, but if this is not possible
or cost effective, spraying at
least once a year and light
pruning to encourage growth
is essential. Flowers and
creepers will enhance the
appearance and it won’t take
long before you have created
a landscape masterpiece.
In the meantime why not
benefit from the bumper crop
of berries and nuts that we
are having this year. Make a
blackberry and apple crumble,
sip a sloe gin or bacardi,
nibble extra large hazel nuts,
or make rosehip and apple
jelly to name but a few.

Island Life - www.isleofwight.net

65