Turn your hedge into a protective barrier against diseases
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A hedge of many different shrubs, set alternately along two rows like the teeth of a saw, shelters birds and helper insects that feed on slugs, snails and aphids. Left to grow freely, this free hedge becomes a barrier against disease: the more diverse the planting, the fewer pest problems reach the garden.
If you increase the diversity of species used in the hedge, you will reduce the risk of seeing diseases and pests spreading across your garden.
When you let the hedge develop freely and when you plant lots of different species, you create what is called a free or freestyle hedge. The more diverse it is, the less disease issues you’ll face in the garden!
Each shrub boasts special assets that help it repel one or more parasites, fungus and other diseases.
If you multiply the types of shrubs, you’ll wreck havoc in your garden invader’s battle plans. Pests will choose the easy way of simply going to a neighbor’s place that is more to its taste, where single-species hedges will be all the more attractive.
Mixed plantings make a hedge almost immune to disease
This is the key to solving diseases in permaculture, where biodiversity is key. Apply it to your hedge!
If you choose a selection of flowering shrubs, you will attract a great number of helper insects, birds and other garden friends that play an important role in the local ecosystem and love eating such things as slugs, snails, aphids and other plant enemies.
Hedge choices and what each one does against pests
The way a hedge is stocked and planted decides how much disease pressure the whole garden feels. Here is what each choice described above actually changes.
Hedge choices and what each one does against pests
Choice
What to do
Effect on pests and disease
Many different species
Mix species and shrub varieties instead of repeating one plant
Each shrub repels different parasites, so the hedge as a whole is virtually immune
Single-species hedge
Avoid a hedge made of one plant repeated along its length
Attracts pests, which settle in rather than moving on
Local shrubs
Pick species already growing in your area
More resilient plants, less prone to trouble
Flowering shrubs
Include a selection that flowers
Draws in helper insects and birds that eat slugs, snails and aphids
Staggered planting
Two rows 32 inches (80 cm) apart, alternating like saw teeth
A denser, more alive hedge rather than a single exposed line
The more varied the planting, the fewer disease problems reach the rest of the garden.
Creating a hedge is important
Selecting the right species is the most critical step. Then comes the planting itself. The more different trees you plant, the better your hedge will look, and the more alive it’ll be!
Choose shrubs that are already growing in your area, they will tend to be more resilient.
Make the hedge as diverse as possible. Sometimes planting two shrubs of a same variety next to each other makes for a nice treat.
Upon planting, avoid planting along a single straight line, but align your shrubs alternately along two rows 32 inches (80 cm) apart, to look like the edge of a saw.
Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.
