How to Till a Line for a Privet Hedge

Privet is part of the Ligustrum family of plants and grows in a shrub form that reaches heights of between 6 and 10 feet when fully mature. It develops masses of white flowers in the spring and is an evergreen that maintains its green foliage year-round. Due to its evergreen nature and the rapid growth rate, privet it commonly planted as a hedge. When planting multiple privet plants for a hedge, it’s best to till a trench instead of digging individual holes.

Wooden stakes
Hammer
String
Herbicide with glyphosate
Shovel
Tiller
Safety glasses
Work gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Wait until the spring or the early fall to plant the privet hedge. Look for a location in the yard that receives partial shade to full sunlight exposure and has well-drained to slightly dry soil.
- 2
  Mark the trench location using wooden stakes hammered into the corners. Make the area 2 feet wide and long enough so there is 1 to 2 ½ feet between each privet plant. Wrap a string around the stakes to help designate the area.
- 3
  Spray the top of the soil in the trench with an herbicide containing glyphosate at least four weeks prior to tilling the trench for the hedge.
- 4
  Dig up the top 1 inch of the area using a shovel to remove any remaining grass or weeds that survived, as well as weed seeds.
- 5
  Put on protective gear including safety glasses and work gloves. Place the tiller at the edge of the area, inside the string. Set the blade depth to 12 inches and turn the tiller on. Push the tiller over the entire area, making two complete passes to loosen the soil.
- 6
  Shovel the loosened soil out of the tilled area until there is a continuous depression at least 1 foot deep along the entire area.
- 7
  Proceed with planting the privet plants 1 to 2 ½ feet apart. Set the roots at the same level as in the pot and cover each with soil before moving on to the next privet shrub.

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