Hazel #atozchallenge

Planting a species rich hedge in a town garden may have seemed like a good idea but it brings with it a huge responsibility. I inherited such a hedge from the previous owners, it was one of the things I liked about the garden, a real sense of countryside, I’ve got my own proper hedge.. How mistaken was I.

Some of the huge responsibility is that of maintenance and I’m not the best at maintaining such structures. It’s not like I can ask the local farmer to trim it while he’s driving past, or hope deer graze it to keep it down. I’m not sure how many deer inhabit this industrial estate I live on. And I never invested in a billhook to lay such hedge, maybe I should have but it’s a bit late now.

This hedge is more like a line of trees. There’s a whole variety I could talk about but specifically I get a funny satisfaction of having my own hazel coppice on rotation. This reminds me of the time I put a full sized garden into a small space for a butterfly display, as you do, the gardeners told me I’d never manage it. Everything grew to fit the space and no more and it was perfect. Ok I can do this, a mini hedge with perfect sized hazel coppice. If the rotation’s a 7 year one and I’ve got 7 trees for example, must go and count them, I’ll be fine, one a year.

What hadn’t occurred to me and has only recently dawned on me is that I’m providing a steady diet for any mice in the neighbourhood.. Hmm..

My AtoZ Blogging Challenge is all about gardening, Lynne style.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this post why not see what others are doing too during 2017 AtoZ Blogging challenge, look in the comments on the letter of the day blog or like their facebook page. I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow.