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Carefully chosen hedges can do wonders to your greens, writes
Kiran Narain
A neatly trimmed thick and compact hedge can speak volumes about the planning and good work gone into any garden. Permanent hedges are formed from shrubs and trees that grow well in company and stand up to restriction. The choice depends on the purpose — whether the hedge is to be used as a boundary, for privacy, a windbreak or to separate the flower garden from the more utilitarian vegetable and fruit garden. Well-chosen hedges will improve the appearance of your garden. Tall, leafy varieties will increase privacy and protect the outdoor living area from wind, dirt and noise pollution at the same time providing seclusion in a limited amount of space. A thorough preparation of the soil is of vital importance, in case of a boundary hedge, mark out a three ft. wide trench at the site and dig up about three ft. deep, leaving the soil exposed to sun for a fortnight or two. Add some well-rotted farmyard manure and bone meal to enrich the dug up soil. In case of clay soil, some sand may be added for good drainage. Level the trench, irrigate and let it settle before planting or sowing. The trench for shorter hedges, for creating micro regions within the garden, may be less deep. For areas prone to termites, a dose of aldrin may also be added. It is necessary that trenching is evenly carried out, for variations in depth will result in marked differences in growth and that symmetry and neatness of growth can never afterwards be obtained. Ample watering space (a minimum of 4 inches) should be left. For a quick hedge, rooted bushes should be planted in two rows — staggering plants in 12 inches apart with 8 inches between rows. All hedges should be cut back hard in their early years to encourage a dense thick bottom. It should be developed in such a manner that the hedge is narrow at the top and wider and thicker at the ground level. The plants will get better exposure to sunlight besides remaining compact and stable. The best time to plant hedges is during Monsoon or February-March in the northern plains. A hedge combined with fence wire can suitably and economically be planted to take the place of a compound wall. Plants are hardier and more drought resistant if raised from seed sown in situ as the primary roots remain undamaged thus penetrating deep into the subsoil. The seeds should be inserted in two or three parallel rows, six inches apart with a spacing of three to four inches between the seeds. Water the hedges
thoroughly whether raised from seeds, cuttings or plants, once a week
while the dry, hot weather lasts and less frequently otherwise. |
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