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Gardening Techniques

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Plant Quotes

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit."
Nelson Henderson

"The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now."
Proverb

"Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later."
Og Mandino

"You have to get up and plant the seed and see if it grows, but you can't just wait around, you have to water it and take care of it."
Bootsy Collins

"Like a plant that starts up in showers and sunshine and does not know which has best helped it to grow, it is difficult to say whether the hard things or the pleasant things did me the most good."
Lucy Larcom

"The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain."
Bible

"A hedge between keeps friendship green."
French Proverb

"Love thy neighbour, yet pull not down thy hedge"
English Proverb

"If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people."
Confucius

Gardening Techniques

Hedge Laying - The Skills Required


Hedge Laying is a process in which the upright growth of a hedge is partly cut through and then bent over at an angle, approaching horizontal. When done correctly, the horizontal branches continue to grow but, in addition, new (vertical) shoots spring from the horizontal branches. The result is a lattice of branches that are virtually impenetrable.

There are a number of reasons why you might decide to lay a hedge, for example:

  • You may have an older hedge that has been allowed to grow too tall with the result that there are ugly gaps at the bottom of the hedge
  • If you are planting a hedge to provide security or to restrict the movement of animals, then you need to eliminate any gaps that would allow persons or animals to get through the hedge.
Layed Hawthorn Hedge

Although the basic principles are quite easy to understand, different techniques that are practiced in various countries, and even across districts within countries, have given rise to many traditional and distinctive styles.

To produce the most consistent finish for a hedge requires a great deal of skill. As with most traditional crafts, the experienced workman is able to produce exceptional results in an amazingly short time and make it look much easier than it really is.

However, with a little practice and preferably some basic instruction, most enthusiastic gardeners should be able to produce acceptable results if they are patient, take their time and work with care.

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