which feed / fertiliser for sorry looking hedging

We maintain a parkland development of about 24 acres with a great deal of formal hedging. The Yew is happy but areas of beech, escallonia and rosemary are not. Have dug various sample holes along the hedge there are clearly elements of poor soil on compacted ground from machines moving around during the construction a few years ago. Ultimately we may have to remove several hundred meters of hedging, dig out, new top soil and start again!! We have discussed an autumn and spring feed and give another 12 months to review any changes.Would welcome feedback on suitable slow release granular fertilisers for now and for spring - will need a lot (approx 2000 meters to feed!).Thank you in advanceDavid

Ahh sorry I did jump to a conclusion, as you said 24 acre, I assumed (perhaps wrongly) that this may have been formally arable / pastureland.

However I know that compacted soil really upsets a lot of plants, and the builders rubble should behave much the same as natural field stones - so not really a disaster unless its compacted.
Often builders who know no better compact soil around existing trees / hedging, and it causes noticeable decline - Aerating the soil, especially if its not under regular heavy traffic, can relieve this.

This is the sort of service I was thinking of:
http://www.arboraeration.co.uk/soildecompaction.html

If its not too bad Id think about ploughing over the top 30-50cms of soil and re-seeding. I'm assuming that due to compaction, there would be few hedge roots in this zone to disturb anyway - and then they can grow back into this newly tilled soil.
In what way is the soil quality poor? Is it lacking in certain nutrients or just of a clay / horrible consistency?

I really doubt you will have to dig and and sort the soil though, too many options that are cheaper and quicker.

David Burdick - CGM ltd said:

Hi David, we have approx 25/30cm of reasonable topsoil then the compacted zone is a mixture of soil (poor) and good old builders rubble etc mixed in with it. Are you suggesting deep hoe / plough parallel to the existing hedge to improve conditions or perhaps we could dig a trench close to the existing hedge, remove and save good soil, dig deeper (50cm) and remove poor rubble layer from site and then put back old soil mixed with new with a view of the roots seeking out this new area thus not having to remove / replace the hedge?
Would keep the costs down for the client.

Replies

Kieran Ray October 11, 2010 at 9:05pm

I have used pelleted chicken fertilizer under hedges. The hedges definatly greened up and grew well. Just have to remember to use small amounts. So a bag or tub should go quite far.
David-County Grounds Maintenance October 11, 2010 at 9:24pm

and a 100% organic, client will like that.....cheers
David Cox October 11, 2010 at 9:28pm

Digging over of compacted soil on a site of that size should not be needed, perhaps a deep-hoe or mini plow? Otherwise contact an arborist and see if they have an gun or similar - Ive seen them used on construction sites near established trees - they pump several cubic M of air into the subsoil, relieving compaction.
T & S Plants October 11, 2010 at 9:32pm

Hi David,

Quick question, any idea how long have they been planted for?
David-County Grounds Maintenance October 11, 2010 at 9:45pm

Hi David, we have approx 25/30cm of reasonable topsoil then the compacted zone is a mixture of soil (poor) and good old builders rubble etc mixed in with it. Are you suggesting deep hoe / plough parallel to the existing hedge to improve conditions or perhaps we could dig a trench close to the existing hedge, remove and save good soil, dig deeper (50cm) and remove poor rubble layer from site and then put back old soil mixed with new with a view of the roots seeking out this new area thus not having to remove / replace the hedge?
Would keep the costs down for the client.
David-County Grounds Maintenance October 11, 2010 at 9:46pm

For about 5 to 6 years
David Cox October 11, 2010 at 10:00pm

Ahh sorry I did jump to a conclusion, as you said 24 acre, I assumed (perhaps wrongly) that this may have been formally arable / pastureland.

However I know that compacted soil really upsets a lot of plants, and the builders rubble should behave much the same as natural field stones - so not really a disaster unless its compacted.
Often builders who know no better compact soil around existing trees / hedging, and it causes noticeable decline - Aerating the soil, especially if its not under regular heavy traffic, can relieve this.

This is the sort of service I was thinking of:
http://www.arboraeration.co.uk/soildecompaction.html

If its not too bad Id think about ploughing over the top 30-50cms of soil and re-seeding. I'm assuming that due to compaction, there would be few hedge roots in this zone to disturb anyway - and then they can grow back into this newly tilled soil.
In what way is the soil quality poor? Is it lacking in certain nutrients or just of a clay / horrible consistency?

I really doubt you will have to dig and and sort the soil though, too many options that are cheaper and quicker.

David Burdick - CGM ltd said:
Hi David, we have approx 25/30cm of reasonable topsoil then the compacted zone is a mixture of soil (poor) and good old builders rubble etc mixed in with it. Are you suggesting deep hoe / plough parallel to the existing hedge to improve conditions or perhaps we could dig a trench close to the existing hedge, remove and save good soil, dig deeper (50cm) and remove poor rubble layer from site and then put back old soil mixed with new with a view of the roots seeking out this new area thus not having to remove / replace the hedge?
Would keep the costs down for the client.
Pip Howard October 11, 2010 at 10:08pm

We have used these in hedges in Cornwall, very poor soil also, and can vouch that it is one of the better mychorrizal based products out there, particularly with the added slow release fertilisers. They are also much cheaper than you think and good for a test run prior to resorting to a drastic solution.

mycospikes

available from ALS http://www.amenity.co.uk/
David-County Grounds Maintenance October 11, 2010 at 10:15pm

Your advice is logical and something i had not considered, the existing soil is ok, drains well and not clay based at all just lacking quality depth and nutrients hence a good feed in the first instance as has 'been starved for 5 - 6 years of any 'TLC' at root level. This is why, i think, a couple of good feeds before we head down the 'digging' route and see what 12 months brings.
Appreciate the advice.
David-County Grounds Maintenance October 11, 2010 at 10:37pm

Thanks Pip, will look into this, the hedges concerned are between 4' and 5' tall and as mention above we have about 2000 meters that need feeding...... desperately.