Privet hedge

[divegirl]

Hi, how many plants would I need to grow a hedge 20 feet long?

Lisa x

[dennisb66]

3 plants per metre.not really neccessary to stagger for a straight row. A good mistake with privet hedging is to plant too shallow, a really bad one is to plant too deep.
Prepare the planting area really well; privet may be tough but it is enormously greedy and it will reward you with rapid lush growth if it is started in ground that has plenty of organic matter incorporated as well as a small handful of bonemeal per metre of hedge (always follow the instructions on the pack). Be generous - a privet hedge can still be around in a 70 or 80 years (and will still be looking good). While improving the ground, it is a good idea to get rid of larger stones, perennial weeds, tree roots and other detritus. Break up the soil - all plants establish better if their roots can move easily in the ground soil.
The planting season for bare root plants is from the beginning of November to the middle of March (ideally the end of February). If you can't plant within this time frame, you will have to ante up and go for pot grown privet instead.

[brenda]

12 plants spaced out set as described already.

[hammerman]

It would depend on how quick you want it established and how big the plants you were buying were.

If the plants were small...say 1 to 2 foot tall, i'd plant them every 12" so you'd need 20 plants. Any bigger and i'd probably halve that amount.

[divegirl]

Thank you for all your help :O}

Lisa x