Beginner
20–40 ft linear border
2 – 4 hours planting
$50 – $200
Edible Hedge Row
A mixed border of edible shrubs and perennials that defines a property line while producing food year after year.
Estimated cost
$50 – $200
Estimated time
2 – 4 hours
Lifespan
10–30 years depending on plants
Soil needed
Compost or aged manure worked into the trench
Weight empty
N/A
Weight full
N/A
Best for
Privacy, wildlife habitat, and harvestable berries, nuts, or herbs
Placement
Leave room to walk both sides for harvesting and pruning. Avoid planting under power lines.
Boards to Buy
| Boards to Buy | Quantity | What You Use Them For |
|---|---|---|
| Berry shrubs or fruit trees | 6–12 | Hedge backbone |
| Compost | 2–4 bags | Planting amendment |
| Mulch | 3–5 bags | Weed suppression |
| Support stakes | 6–12 | Young tree support |
- ·Optional: flowering perennials for pollinators
- ·Hose or drip line for irrigation
Steps
- 1Mark a straight or gently curved line for the hedge.
- 2Dig a trench twice as wide as each root ball.
- 3Mix compost into the removed soil.
- 4Space plants according to mature width.
- 5Plant at the same depth they were growing in pots.
- 6Backfill, water thoroughly, and mulch 2–3 inches deep.
- 7Prune lightly after planting to encourage bushy growth.
Tools needed
- ·Shovel
- ·Wheelbarrow
- ·Pruners
- ·Tape measure
Common mistakes to avoid
- ·Spacing too close — mature shrubs need air and light
- ·Mixing plants with wildly different water needs
- ·Planting only one variety — poor pollination
- ·Ignoring mature width and blocking paths
Maintenance tips
Prune once a year after fruiting. Mulch the row. Water deeply the first two years.
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