How to Build a Hedgerow

Determine your hedgerow's width. It can be anywhere from 10 to 100 feet wide and does not need to be consistent down the hedgerow's entire length. Mark the width onto the ground with spray paint. Use a rototiller to turn the soil within the spray-paint lines. Remove any large rocks, sticks or other debris you come across.

Pour compost onto the tilled area. Run the rototiller over the area one more time to work the compost 1 to 2 inches into the soil.

Set your plants on the tilled ground, starting with the larger ones in the back. Place them in a visually appealing arrangement. How you position the plants will depend on their mature height and width. Pine trees and large deciduous trees, for example, should be planted at least 6 to 7 feet apart. More than likely the plants will not be at their mature height when you plant them, so make sure to give them enough room to grow.

Remove the plants from the tilled area. Dig a hole for each plant to go in. Make the holes slightly bigger the size of the plants' root balls. Set the plants into the holes. Fill up any gaps in the hole with the soil you dug out.

Position shorter shrubs and undergrowth in front of the larger trees. Again, set the plants on the tilled ground first and arrange them into a visually appealing pattern. Shrubs work well in the shorter level of the hedgerow because you can keep them trimmed to specific sizes and shapes.

Dig holes for the shorter shrubs and undergrowth plants. Make the holes slightly larger than the root balls. Set each plant into its hole and fill any gaps with soil.

Spread a 3-inch layer of coarse wood chips evenly over the tilled ground with a metal garden rake. The wood chips prohibit weed growth. Water the entire area.