New privet hedge

rubber

I planted bare root privet hedging last November and trimmed back by one third as advised by the nursery where I bought the plants. A year has now passed and all the plants have stared to grow they are about 1 ft high now. My question is when and how do I prune to achieve a good strong hedge. I am aiming at a finished height of about 5 ft and a narrow hedge. The hedge is to provide some privacy and also to give some protection to my veg raised beds from the wind. I have googled but so many different suggestions I am confused. Thanks for any replies.

LeadFarmer

I think its advised to cut them back by one third to encourage them to bush out at the bottom, rather than just having a single stem.

If that has worked then I guess you could prune back each new branch, to encourage even more branches. But I'd wait till next spring incae we gat a frost that harms the newly cut wood.

Fairygirl

Yes, privet grows quickly once established provided it's location has been well prepared, as with any hedging plant. It shouldn't need any attention till next year as LF and Verdun have said. If the site's windy - you mentioned getting some protection for your veg - they may get a little wind damage over the winter and spring so you may even want to put in some additional wind break like netting to give them a bit of help through the worst weather.

LeadFarmer

I remember on GW watching Alan Titchmarsh showing how he planted a new hedge using whips. He cut them down by one third and put a fine mesh screen behind to protect from wind.

Fairygirl

I'm all heart Verd....

I know it's not very attractive but if it protects your investment and gets it going then it's surely worth doing. 

PS- I didn't know you could get 'rubber' from a privet ....should have gone to Specsavers Verd! 

rubber

Many thanks for your replies. I will leave it alone until next year and consider some netting to protect it through the winter.