Prepping for hedgerow planting, what herbicide to use to kill off existing grass and weeds?

Turnip

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Aberdeenshire
So we are looking to plant 200m of hedgerow this winter in one of our paddocks. As I only have a knapsack sprayer can people recommend a herbicide to use before hiring a rotovator to prep the ground? From what I can read about planting hedgerows the aim is to have a strip cleared of all growth for the plants to be planted in.
 

Ffermer Bach

Member
Livestock Farmer
I have never bothered preparing ground, partly as being organic I can't spray, but even if I could I wouldn't as no need and def no need to rotovate. I just plant the whips with a notching spade. I never use spiral tree guards, we have lots of rabbits here and they seem to grow fine. I plant between 5 and 8 to the metre in a staggered double row. I try to not let the roots dry out either and store the plants in the ground before I use them. Prices have gone up, I was paying 75p a plant for a bit of beating up I did this year!
 

primmiemoo

Member
Location
Devon
So we are looking to plant 200m of hedgerow this winter in one of our paddocks. As I only have a knapsack sprayer can people recommend a herbicide to use before hiring a rotovator to prep the ground? From what I can read about planting hedgerows the aim is to have a strip cleared of all growth for the plants to be planted in.
Just use daggings to mulch around after slotting in the whips, and don't worry about sterilising where you'll plant. It will feel a faff spreading the wool, but it works.
 

Frank-the-Wool

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
We have planted over 2 kms the last two years and just made sure they were well put in with a small spade.
Last years look fantastic and have easily grown above the grass and weeds, this years are also looking fine but may have lost a small number due to the drought.
A good tip is to plant as early as possible in the winter, planting in March in the south can be getting late if it is very dry.
We find the spirals actually help to get them growing when there is some competition from weeds.
 

upnortheast

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northumberland
Done 3km in the last 2 years.
No prep at all apart from 100 m got roundup. No visual difference.

2nd years are looking really good this spring, Have to look hard to find failures.
As Frank says above, get them in around Christmas if poss. with canes & spirals

Best get them ordered in good time, big demand from folk on the grant scheme
Got ours from here https://www.facebook.com/DobcrossNursery/
 

Turnip

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Aberdeenshire
Thanks all, I was thinking it would be a substantial job but looking at the comments I have made a mountain out of a molehill. I'll follow the advice and plant them as it is now. We are in Aberdeenshire so will figure out what the best time for planting is by talking to local people as well but early winter seems to make sense.

@upnortheast thanks for the tip, if we go with the MOREhedges grant scheme which was approved last week, they will order and sort delivery etc.
 

Ffermer Bach

Member
Livestock Farmer
We have planted over 2 kms the last two years and just made sure they were well put in with a small spade.
Last years look fantastic and have easily grown above the grass and weeds, this years are also looking fine but may have lost a small number due to the drought.
A good tip is to plant as early as possible in the winter, planting in March in the south can be getting late if it is very dry.
We find the spirals actually help to get them growing when there is some competition from weeds.
I just know I would never get round to removing the spiral guards and I hate the idea of them breaking up into micro plastic pollution, if there was a deer problem I may use spiral guards (I presume they protect against deer browsing?), but I do use tubes on the trees I expect to keep in the hedge, possibly more to let the hedge cutting contractor know what to leave! As far as the drought goes, you will be surprised how they will come back with a bit of rain. I have found the biggest factor in growth is micro climate and altitude. Those I planted 10 years ago at over 1000' have only just had their first trim with a hedge cutter, while the hedge planted 4 years ago at 750' was trimmed at the same time!
 

Bucks Boy

Member
Mixed Farmer
We planted 200m length two years ago. Sprayed off first with Roundup. Used wood chips between plants to suppress weeds. Seems to be working well. Had to water regularly first year. Used IBC on telehandler. Just drove along side with tap open. Have to us spirals too. Muntjacs biggest problem.
 

Ffermer Bach

Member
Livestock Farmer
We planted 200m length two years ago. Sprayed off first with Roundup. Used wood chips between plants to suppress weeds. Seems to be working well. Had to water regularly first year. Used IBC on telehandler. Just drove along side with tap open. Have to us spirals too. Muntjacs biggest problem.
the whole of the woodchips, spraying etc seems an awful lot of work, if you plant one again, try 50m without any of that malarky and see how they compare.
 

wr.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Breconshire
Get yourself a proper spade for the job. The 1st 50 metres are the worst 😀
Make yourself one of these :D



Tree planter Nov 2020 (10).JPG


Tree planter Nov 2020 (2).JPG
 

Frank-the-Wool

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
Is the hole not too big?
When we cut a slot with a spade we only make it just wide enough to put in the roots, tread it down and job done. The roots are often quite a wide fan, whereas your magic tool will restrict the roots.
Also if it was very wet would these holes not fill with water?
Be interesting to see if you did a comparison whether there was any difference.
 

Henery

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South shropshire
Did about 1000 m this winter, all got some glyphosate but regrowth is fierce in places, going to have to try get some glyphosate on around plants…. Not looking forward to that job …. Hate knapsack sprayers.
Little sign of rabbits so didn’t use wraps for first time ever…. Really sped the job up, 35 m per hour was my best….not sure I need quite so much exercise 🥵
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

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