Hey everyone! I'm looking to create an edible hedge in my compact garden, and I'd love your input. The space I have for the hedge is about 7 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. There's a medium-sized cherry tree on one end that I plan to prune a bit next winter, and I'll also be placing a compost pile there since it's the only available spot. My goal is to establish a screen of around 1.5 meters between my garden and the neighbors' during the spring and summer months while providing some tasty fruits for the kids during the growing season. Since we don't use the garden much in winter, it's fine if it looks bare, as I'll be adding a wicker screen to the fence for privacy. Here are my initial thoughts: a back row of raspberry bushes spaced every 50cm, a middle row alternating blueberry, blackcurrant, and gooseberry plants, and a front row of strawberries mixed with daffodils for a pop of spring color. What do you think? Should I stick to standard spacing or go for a denser planting for a thicker screen?
6 Answers
Have you thought about espalier fruit trees? They can stay low and compact, and you can even go for stepover fruit trees! They're pretty easy to manage if you want variety.
Definitely stick with the currant bushes as they form nice shrubs and will hedge really well with the right trimming. Raspberries could take over unless you're okay with them spreading.
You might want to check out that site with edible hedge plants for some ideas! They have great options, and you can select what you like and buy them separately.
For something a bit different, you could try planting dwarf apples and plums, and then have rows of blackcurrants, gooseberries, or jostaberries in between. Just remember that blueberries can be a bit picky about their soil conditions, so make sure they fit your garden!
Be cautious with raspberry bushes—they tend to spread a lot! If that's fine for you, look into autumn fruiting raspberries; they fruit the same year and are easier to manage. Also, for blueberries, make sure your soil is acidic enough. If you're interested, consider thornless blackberries or crosses like tayberries, and maybe some redcurrants or even figs too!
Your plan sounds solid! I’d also recommend considering espalier pears and apples on dwarf rootstock at the back for a neat look. Plus, you could add perennial kale, rhubarb, and even some hazelnut trees. Just a heads-up: the squirrels love those, but they also help you grow more little trees you can use around the garden!