Using Hedgerows to Save on Your Electric Bill

Living fences or hedgerows have been in existence for thousands of years. England’s countryside is especially well known for its hedgerows and some have plants and trees that are hundreds of years old. Hedgerows have helped farmers keep erosion at bay, snow mounds at a minimum and farm structures warm and out of high winds. These benefits of a living fence only scrape the surface. Hedgerows can also help to bring wildlife to your yard, keep high winds from entering your home and a help you save energy. Use this guide to hedgerows and reap the benefits of these living fences.

Location

One of the most important aspects of hedgerow design is its location. It’s a good idea to choose a location that’s between the prevailing winds of your neighborhood and home. This will help prevent wind penetration through your home that can decrease the effectiveness of your homes heating system. You’ll also need to be sure that your living fences location has the proper drainage for the plantings that you install.

Width

Typical country and farm living fences can be as wide as 100 feet. While the wider width is perfect for stopping heavy winds and snow banks on a farm, some yards might not even be that wide. 20 feet wide is about the minimum a living fence should be, otherwise they won’t be as effective in controlling the wind and preventing heat loss in your home. In some cases, homeowners with friendly neighbors can help to share the burden of owning a living fence by planting half of the fence on their property.

Choosing the Right Plants

Get the most out of your hedgerows plantings by layering trees, shrubs and bushes to create a mix of tall and short plants. In many cases, herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables can be planted into a hedgerow. Use these tips for choosing the right plants for your new living fence.

• Native Plants- Pick native plants or drought tolerant species to help not only save on your homes energy bill, you can also help save on water too.
• Mature Trees- Planting a larger mature tree can help you to decide which understory foliage is best for your hedgerow. While planting smaller and younger trees is ok, just be sure that you know what their overall height will be at maturity so you can plant the appropriate undergrowth.
• Plant by Design- You may want to consider adding more depth or width to your hedgerow to disguise compost piles, old shed and wells. Just be sure that other trees or plants in your yard don’t get blocked out of the sunlight from your hedgerow.
• Berry Bushes- Trees and shrubs that have berries can help to increase wildlife and birds in your yard. Hedgerows with plenty of animals help to keep a hedgerow diverse and healthy by spreading seeds, removing new weed growth and spreading pollen.