How to Plant an Evergreen Hedge

Prepare the planting area. Remove all weeds, and improve poor soil by adding cow manure or fertilizer. Water the soil well and leave the soil alone for a week before you plant the evergreen hedge plants.

Select the type of evergreen plant or plants that will be used in the hedge. If planting more than one variety of evergreen in the hedge, disease and pests will be less likely to wipe out the whole planting. Some good hedge plant choices are: holly which can be grown in all 50 states and comes in all sizes, boxwoods which are broad leaf evergreens and the yew bush which is a needle-bearing evergreen that can tolerate shade. When choosing plants, take into consideration the climate, whether the area is shady or sunny, whether you want the hedge to grow fast or slow and the purpose of the hedge.

Plant hedge plants close enough to form a dense mass of foliage and stems. A general rule of thumb is to plant each hedge plant three feet apart. Smaller plants can be planted closer together. Mulch the soil to help reduce weeds and keep soil moist. The best time to plant root-balled broad leaf evergreens and conifers is during the month of March, though hedge plants may be planted October through March.

Water the hedge plants thoroughly after they have been planted. Keep the hedge watered well the entire first year.

Prune the hedge the first year it is planted, but only lightly until the hedge has developed bushy side growth. When pruning, create a base that is wider than the top of the hedge. This type of pruning is known as the keystone effect; it allows the bottom of the hedge to get light and air circulation. A hedge that is pruned straight up and down may look nice, but it will not be healthy. Prune to encourage lateral growth and remove branches and protrusions which deform the shape of the hedge.