Rootballed Hedging, How to Buy, Store and Plant It (Step by Step)
What is a rootballed hedge?
Rootballed (sometimes called “root-balled”) hedging is field-grown, lifted in the dormant season with a ball of soil around the roots, wrapped in hessian. It gives you a bigger, more established hedge than bare-root plants, with a good head start on privacy. Because it is lifted rather than pot-grown, it is only available in the cold months. That is the trade-off for a hedge that looks established sooner.
This looks like quite a few steps but these aren’t all for everyone, its not difficult – Here are just a few of our most popular options
Step 1: Choose your hedge and how many to buy
Pick the species for your site (soil, exposure, evergreen or deciduous) and the height you want. Then work out quantities:
- Measure the run in metres (or feet if you prefer and we’ll assist with the conversion as all our measurements are metric)
- Multiply by the planting rate. Typical guidance is 2-3 plants per metre for larger rootballed plants, 4 to 5 for mainly bare-root options. Spacing varies by species and size, so check the plant description or ask us, we are here to help.
- Add a few spares, particularly for long runs although as the sizes go up in heights this could be expensive so again we are always happy to assist.
Step 2: Check everything on delivery
Do this while the driver is still there if you can, we pride ourselves on our dispatch and delivery but even we make mistakes from time to time.
- Count the plants and check them against your order.
- Note any descrepancies on the delivery paperwork and send us photos the same day. We’ll sort it out.
Step 3: Get them out of the wind
Don’t leave rootballed hedging sitting in sun, wind or frost. Wind and sun dry roots quickly, and dry roots are the main reason hedging fails.
- Move plants to a sheltered spot such as a shady wall, shed or garage doorway.
- Keep the hessian on.
- Stand them upright and close together. Water the rootballs if they feel dry.
- Do not cover tightly with plastic: plants need to breathe.
Step 4: How long can they wait before planting?
Honestly, like lots of things in horticulture, it depends on the weather.
- Ideal: plant within 4 to 5 days.
- Up to about a week: is fine in a protected, sheltered place with the rootballs kept moist.
- Longer than that, or in a hard frost: heel them in (Step 5).
- Frozen or heavily waterlogged ground: don’t plant. Wait until it thaws or drains.
Step 5: Heel them in if you need more time
Dig a shallow trench in a sheltered, well-drained spot. Stand the plants in it, pack soil, compost or bark around the rootballs, and water gently. This protects the roots for a few weeks. Check on them regularly.
Step 6: Prepare the ground
- Clear weeds and grass along a strip about 60 to 90 cm wide.
- Space out your hedge so you know where each one should be so that the hedge is even.
- Dig a trench, or preferably individual holes but if its a long stretch this is more difficult so a trench will work too about 30 to 40 cm wider than the rootballs and just slightly deeper than the ball.
- Loosen the soil so roots can spread. Mix in some enriched compost and multi purpose too if your soil isn’t great
Step 7: Plant at the right depth
- Place each plant so the original soil mark on the stem sits level with the surrounding soil. Too deep is a common cause of failure.
- Hessian and wire: natural hessian should stay, but loosen it and cut it back from the top of the ball and around the stem so it can’t keep moisture away. If there is a wire rootball, usually on larger rootballs then this can also stay intact.
Step 8: Backfill, firm and water in
- Backfill with the soil you dug out, in layers, firming gently with your heel to remove air pockets. Don’t stamp it hard.
- Water thoroughly straight away, even if the soil is damp.
- Spread 5 to 7 cm of mulch (bark, compost or leaf mould) along the base, keeping it clear of the stems.
Step 9: First-year aftercare
- Water weekly in dry spells through the first spring and summer, giving a deep soak rather than a splash.
- Weed the base and top up mulch each spring.
- Prune lightly in the first year to encourage bushy growth, unless your species needs different treatment.
- Expect some slow growth in year one while roots settle, year two is when the real growth starts and we’d recommend a good feed – here are our ones we provide but any good organic fertiliser or liquid seaweed works very well.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving plants on the pallet in sun or wind.
- Letting rootballs dry out.
- Planting too deep.
- Leaving any plastic or synthetic wrapping on.
- Planting into frozen or overly waterlogged soil.
- Forgetting to water after the first few weeks.
FAQ
Can I plant in spring? Late winter and very early spring is fine while the plants are still dormant. Once they start growing, it gets harder.
Should I remove all the hessian? Natural hessian will rot, but cut it back slightly from the top and stem. Always remove plastic or synthetic material.
What if the weather turns bad on delivery day? Keep them sheltered and moist, or heel them in. A short wait is better than planting in poor conditions.
How do I know it’s alive? Dormant deciduous plants look bare. Check for firm, flexible stems and healthy buds. We’ll gladly help with a photo.
Where are the hedging grown ? Right on our nursery in Caragh, our production is spread over 4 sites in and around our little village in Co Kildare, we are so proud of the plants we grow and the way we produce right here in Ireland.
Need a hand?
Our horticulture team is happy to help with species, spacing or a planting plan. Call or email us, or ask about our free personal shopping service. Our 3-year plant warranty depends on proper care, and these steps are exactly that, so you’re set up for success from day one.
Caragh Nurseries is a family-run, growing in Ireland and delivering across Ireland and the UK.
Closed on Bank holiday Monday
Our team will be back bright and early on Tuesday 4th august in the meantime, you can still browse and place orders online as normal
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