How to Hedge for Noise Barriers in a Small Yard

Determine the source of the noise you want to reduce. For example, the noise may come from several directions or from one direction. Identifying the source of the noise allows you to decide where to plant hedges so they will have the greatest noise-reduction benefit and not occupy unnecessary space.

Create a plan for the strategic planting of the hedges. If you spend most of your outdoor time on a patio or deck, then consider enclosing one or more sides of it with hedges. If the back of your home faces a busy road, place a single row of hedges along the back property line between your home and the traffic. If neighbors on one side of your house are noisy but other neighbors are not noisy, then place a hedge only where it is needed as a noise barrier. Doing so will save space in the small yard.

Select appropriate hedges for noise reduction. Shrubs with thick foliage block noise most effectively while compact shrubs take up less space, which is beneficial in a small yard. Options include golden privet (Ligustrum "Vicaryi"), a deciduous shrub that is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 5 through 8; because it is deciduous, it loses its leaves for winter. It thrives in a wide range of soil types, produces fragrant blooms and grows to a height of 6 to 12 feet. Trimming golden privet keeps it a manageable size. Another option is boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8. That broad-leaf evergreen can be shaped into a formal, manicured form or allowed to grow to a more natural form.

Consider the predicted width, or spread, of each shrub when choosing plant placement. Dig a hole for each shrub, making the hole two to three times the width of the shrub's root mass. The hole should be only deep enough so that the shrub will grow at the same soil depth at which it grew in its nursery pot. Insert each shrub in its designated hole, and fill the remainder of the hole with the original soil. Press the soil into place to secure each shrub. Water the shrubs's soil after planting.