Nick Hopwood
11 Mar 2024
March 2024 saw the beginning of our landscaping projects.
Once we made significant progress at the nursery site and our trees were growing well, requiring less attention, it was time to begin promoting our landscaping credentials. To date, we have completed numerous projects ranging from general garden maintenance to full garden renovations, with plenty of tree and hedge planting in between.
Our core commitment is to provide every planting with the care and conditions it needs not just to survive, but to thrive! We want every landscape we design to truly flourish.
With any planting project we adopt and follow these principles:
Right plant, right place. We choose species most suited to your soil, drainage, and climate. We match sun/ shade preferences, moisture tolerance, and wind exposure, and consider native or well adapted varieties resilience and wildlife benefit.
Healthy planting stock. We only use our own high-quality grown trees and hedges, or source from trusted, and reputable nurseries and growers. We always check roots for good structure (not pot-bound, or damaged), and ensure to keep plants moist and shaded before planting, not allowing the roots to dry out.
Soil preparation. We loosen compacted soil giving the roots room to spread and grow, and add organic matter if the soil is poor whilst avoiding over-fertilising at the planting stage. For trees and hedges we prefer to dig trenches or pits wide enough to accommodate roots without bending.
Planting technique. We always ensure to plant at the correct depth where the root collar is at or just above the soil level, allowing the roots to spread naturally so they are not twisted or cramped. We firm the soil in gently around the roots to remove air pockets without compacting.
Water wisely. We water immediately after planting and advise our clients to maintain a consistent moisture level during the first 2-3 years, especially in dry spells - but do not allow them to be sat in standing water as this can cause root rot. It is more beneficial to water deeply rather than little and often, to encourage deep rooting.
Mulching for protection and nutrients. We apply an organic mulch (woodchip, bark, composted green waste) around the base - but not touching stems/ trunks. The benefits of using mulch is that it conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds.
Protection from threats. We suggest the use of guards, spirals, or fencing to protect against rabbits, deer, and livestock. You may also need to consider using windbreaks in exposed sitres to reduce the stress from strong winds on young plants.
On going care in the establishment years. We recommend re-visiting sites in 6 monthly, or annual intervals to review how the plantings are growing and check for any signs of stress. We are looking for weed control where an approximately 1m circumference is kept clear around the trees or hedges to minimise competing vegetation for the first few years. We also recommend inspecting regularly for pests, diseases, or damage, and we can advise on what to look out for. It is important to replace failed plants promptly to maintain continuity in hedges or shelterbelts.
Thoughtful pruning and training. For trees: formative pruning in the first 3-5 years will help to create a strong structure. For hedges: light shaping should be adopted after establishment to encourage dense growth.
Plan for the long term. When planning any project it is vitally important to think in decades - consider its mature size, canopy spread, and eventual maintenance needs. We advise on choosing species and layouts that will require minimal intervention once established.
With any advice or recommendations we give, our priority is to always align with the client's vision while also promoting biodiversity where possible and ensuring that everything we plant has the best conditions and opportunity to thrive.