Inground instant hedge planting guide.

Planting guide for free-range hedges

This guide covers planting directly into the ground, where roots can grow freely. If a landscape contractor is installing your hedge, please share this guide with them. You may also like to view our How-to video

For planting in containers, raised planters, planter boxes, some retaining walls and planting spaces (where roots are restricted), see our Container and Planter Box planting guide

25L  —  70L  —  100L   

Before You Start

Handling Guidelines

• Safe Lifting: Use both handles to lift hedge bags—avoid pulling or dragging to prevent tearing. Wear gloves, as the fibreglass rods can be rough on skin.
• Weight Considerations:
  • 100L hedge bags can weigh over 100kg when wet, so you'll want a couple of burly blokes (or other means) to carry these around your site.
  • 70L hedge bags, at around 65kg each, need two people to carry.  
  • 25L hedge bags, at 25kg, can be managed solo.
  • view hedge bag specifications here

Site prep tips

• Plan ahead: If practical, prepare your trench before your hedge arrives. This allows you to discover any underground obstacles, check drainage, and confirm hedge length measurement. For new builds, you may want to dig trenches while machinery is on site.
• Extra soil: If you’ve removed large plants or roots and don’t have enough soil to backfill, bring in good-quality topsoil.
• Fix drainage: Most plants, including NZ natives, hate “wet feet” (roots sitting in overly wet soil). Your site must drain well—plants won’t thrive in soggy, water-logged soil. Check the drainage at several places along the trench site, at the lowest points especially. Test by pouring water into the trench and watching for a couple of hours. If it doesn’t drain, improve drainage before planting. Plant according to WET HEAVY SOIL diagram, below.
• Root Control Option: Concerned about vigorous roots (e.g. Ficus tuffi) spreading to pipes or paths? Consider adding a 600–900mm high root barrier along the side of the trench to keep roots in check—install it before placing the hedge.

Preparing Your Trench

• Dig a trench as deep* and at least as wide as your hedge’s rootball (check Specifications for minimum dimensions). Set aside plenty of soil for backfilling later. Use a spade to loosen any compacted soil (hardpans) at the bottom and sides of the trench—this will help roots to grow into the surrounding soil. A tidy, well-prepared trench sets your hedge up for success.
• Don't add extras like gravel, compost, manure, water crystals, or fertiliser to the trench. Gravel can contribute to poor drainage, compost/manure breaks down causing plantings to sink and can be too rich for delicate roots, and fertiliser is too strong for roots at this stage—use it on top later.

 * Soil type planting adjustments

• Well-drained soil: the top of the rootball should be level with the surrounding ground.
• Heavy clay soil or a particularly wet site: raise the rootball one-third above ground level. Cover the exposed rootball sides with soil, sloping it down to ground level. Don’t pile soil against the plant trunks. See WET HEAVY SOIL diagram.
• Light sandy soil or planting your hedge across a steep site: dig a slightly deeper trench and set the rootball just below ground level. Don’t pile soil against the plant trunks. See DRY SANDY SOIL diagram.

Planting Your Hedge

Wear gardening gloves when handling hedge bags (the fibreglass rods can be rough). Place the hedges near your trench, with logos facing the same way. If bags are numbered, line them up left to right in order.

• Unpack: Cut open the square ends of each bag. Gently lift the hedge into the trench—use the bag as a sling if it’s easier. Don’t kick or roughly handle the rootball.
• Space Them Out: Set rootballs about 10cm apart, aiming for one hedge per metre. The foliage should touch, but rootballs shouldn’t (see Rootball Spacing Diagram below). The bag handle is 1m long for reference. Check actual rootball sizes—adjust gaps if needed.
• Fit Your Space: If your trench isn’t an exact number of metres (e.g. to fit 10 x hedges in a 9.7m trench, or 9 x hedges in a 9.3m trench), spread or squeeze the spacing slightly before backfilling.
• Cut if Necessary: Only cut a rootball if you need a shorter piece (e.g., to fill a half-metre gap). Saw between plants using a tool with teeth, keeping as much rootball intact as possible—avoid using a spade.

Backfilling and Watering 

Once your hedges are upright and evenly spaced, start backfilling:

• Fill the trench halfway with your saved soil, packing it gently but firmly around and between rootballs (don’t over-compact).
• Water lightly to settle the soil.
• Finish backfilling, then water thoroughly—10-20 litres per metre, depending on hedge size. Check Watering Guide for ongoing needs.

Post-Planting

• Trimming:  Give your hedge a light trim to shape it, if needed. See Trimming Guide for long-term care tips.
• Staking:  In windy spots, add temporary support: place a stake (like a Waratah) with wire on the sheltered side of the hedge. Trimming the height can also reduce wind strain. See Do I need to stake my Living Walls instant hedge? for more.
• Irrigation: We recommend and supply flow-regulated landscape drip line. Your hedge will require regular, deep watering while establishing. Refer to Water for ongoing guidelines.
• Feeding: In spring and summer, sprinkle a complete NPK-based slow-release fertiliser (e.g., Nitrophoska®, Nitro Blue or Triabon®) over the rootballs. These fertilisers provide nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) (the key nutrients plants need) without overwhelming roots—find them at garden stores. 
• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch (coarse organic matter or other materials) around the hedge to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep it away from plant trunks to avoid rot. Avoid fresh grass clippings. See Feeding and Mulching for ongoing feeding and mulching information.

Enjoy Your Hedge!  

Now stand back and admire your new instant hedge! 

Care and Maintenance

 For long-term care, please read and follow the information contained in the guide Caring for my instant hedge