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If you deal with poison ivy in your hedgerow area, read about how to kill poison ivy using a permaculture approach before planting. Next, alternate layers of organic materials such as aged manure, shredded leaves, or straw.įinally, top with several inches of compost soil ( homemade compost or store-bought compost soil). Overlap the ends so that the soil is entirely covered. Use a digging fork to aerate the soil throughout, then cover the area in cardboard.

To sheet mulch the area, first cut back any unwanted growth and remove unwanted woody plants.

Add 2 inches of compost and let rest for two weeks before planting.įor a small hedgerow, however, sheet mulching is a healthier approach. On large-scale properties, it might be necessary to till the hedgerow area before planting. Mixed hedgerows actually have a lot of similarities with permaculture food forests and fruit tree guilds.

If you can swing it in your space, a hedgerow that is at least 10 feet wide (20 feet long) is a minimum size in order to be able to incorporate several rows or layers of plants.īy comparison, farmland hedgerows can in fact stretch as wide as 100 feet, and a minimum of 60 feet from a water source in riparian zones. Therefore, don’t let perfect get in the way of good! I think mixed hedgerows and perennial plantings of any size can do wonders for attracting biodiversity. However, I suspect that many don’t have the necessary space for this. That’s because some depth and layering of plants is needed for creating a biologically rich ecosystem that attracts and holds beneficial insects, wildlife, and a diversity of plants. Hedgerows are ideally longer than they are wide.įor example, Dave Jacke, author of Edible Forest Gardens, suggests 40 feet as the critical minimum width for a hedgerow. See 6 Maps for the Permaculture Farm Design to learn more about planning the layout of your farm or garden. Hedgerows can also be utilized to manage water flow, if built as swales or contour gardens. Hedgerows are often used along property lines but they can also be used to divide sections of a property such as animal paddocks or dividing play areas from garden areas. The layout of the hedgerow depends on its desired function and location. To clarify, you should plan to maintain a hedgerow for at least two years by watering and weeding while it becomes established. However, quick-growing annual plants can fill the gaps while a young hedgerow becomes established.įinally, ongoing maintenance is a factor in how successful a planting will be. In fact, the type of hedgerow you plant depends on the purpose you want it to serve, the sun exposure of the area, soil conditions, wildlife activity, etc.Īnother key point is that hedgerows are primarily comprised of perennial species. Some examples include privacy, water conservation, a buffer to noise, wind, or pollution, and more. In 10 Reasons to Plant a Hedgerow, I outlined the difference between a mixed hedgerow and a formal hedge, as well as some of the top benefits that a hedgerow can provide. A hedgerow can offer beauty, productivity, biodiversity, and much more! Discover how to plant a hedgerow to meet your needs on your permaculture homestead.