We may not be able to plant a forest on our property but I’m sure we all have the space for a bit of a hedgerow.

At its most basic a hedgerow is: a row of shrubs or trees enclosing or separating fields. Does this sound like a hedge to you?

Probably, similar idea but different way of implementing it. A hedge is usually a monoculture - a row of cedars. A hedgerow is a polyculture - a wide variety of trees, shrubs, bushes, grasses, wildflowers, and diverse animal life. 

Most people connect them to England where they may have seen hedgerows while traveling. They were a vital tool for marking boundaries, and even keeping livestock in, for centuries. After World War 2 many were left derelict and the skilled craftsmen who understood how they were built were swept into the cities to find enough work to feed their families. Industrial agriculture also wanted every last inch of ground without any irritating obstacles. Have you seen To The Manor Born? Remember when Richard wanted to cut down all the hedgerows?

There are still some skilled hedgelayers. There is even a National Hedgelaying Society.

The loss of them ended up showing just how valuable the hedgerows had been, even if people hadn’t really understood why.

Hedgerows:

• Had slowed soil erosion by improving soil stability, as well as drinking up water during times of flooding (this ends up being a water filtration system which actually removes pollution from creeks and the water table), 

• Reduced pests by providing habitat for predators, 

• Provided wind breaks which helped keep the dust down

• And created excellent biodiversity as an essential wildlife corridor between fields and woods.

England, of course, will have different species than us but the numbers are still telling. 

Hedges may support up to 80 percent of our woodland birds, 50 percent of our mammals and 30 percent of our butterflies. The ditches and banks associated with hedgerows provide habitat for frogs, toads, newts and reptiles.

says The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

These are definitely something a good steward of the land wants to incorporate into their property plan. 

Does size matter?

The same article from the RSPB shares some valuable tips.

• Some finches and doves prefer hedges 4m and taller with lots of trees.

• Other finches, buntings and warblers prefer shorter hedges at 2-3m tall with fewer trees. 

• Some birds prefer to nest low down in the bushes and other nest at a greater height, still others will nest in the grasses along the verge. 

This helps us to see that a good thick hedge, with a wide base and a grassy verge is ideal habitat for so many birds, bats, bugs and other wildlife. Not only does it provide nesting sites but also materials and the food necessary to sustain their young. Different heights and varieties of woody plants will provide the largest possible diversity for you to enjoy.

And the other nice thing - they’re cheaper and more long-lasting than a fence. Any other benefits?

• Water retention - as discussed above, they are an excellent spot for rainwater to be collected and stored, especially when they are planted on contour. This enables you to enjoy the birds and bees … and butterflies more, while watering less. 

• When established (think a couple years at least) they provide organic privacy instead of the harsh lines of a fence. 

• They stabilize the soil, can block prevailing winds and can provide some noise reduction when fully grown. 

• My most favourite, other than the wildlife enjoyment, is that depending on what you plant, they can produce a lot of delicious food. 

If you ever looked into permaculture at all, a food forest, fedge or fruit tree guild, is a much bigger and more varied example of a hedgerow, especially suited to food produce. But that is for another time. 

Let’s make some hypothetical hedgerows.

No matter which hedgerow you choose, prepare your space by sheet mulching the entire area. This means gathering cardboard and laying it overtop of the grass, or whatever is there, and then add leaves, compost and/or topsoil to a depth of 4 inches or so.

Wait for 2 weeks. 

I plan on doing this to the area where I’m planning my Tallgrass Prairie restoration as soon as the snow is off the ground. I won’t be able to plant anything immediately but I’ll be preparing the soil. And check your area for Spring leaves being cleaned up if you don’t have enough. The bags are an easy substitute if you don’t have enough cardboard and the leaves may be host to all sorts of beneficial insects (and dog poop, watch out for that one). 

Let’s look at sizes

The 5x20 Foot Hedgerow

This subdivision lot has to fill several requirements. You need space for the dog, and the firepit, and the bbq, but you’re also interested in all of the benefits that a hedgerow provides. 

So there has to be huge benefit to the homeowner to designate this space to a hedgerow. Let’s make that benefit lots and lots of food.

The 10x30 Foot Hedgerow

With this lot we’re prepared to share more of our space with the birds, bees and butterflies. We’re also interested in more shade in our backyard because we don’t want to bake in the midday sun. 

The 15x40 Foot Hedgerow

Out in the country we have more room on this property to really start to stretch our hedgerow legs. We’re looking to maximize diversity of food sources, and genera, as well as provide habitat for the birds and larvae from different lepidoptera. 

The 20x50 Foot Hedgerow

So much room to play here, let’s run wild with this hedgerow. I might steal it for my side yard.