Removing Burlap Around the Farm

April 5, 2019

This year’s spring burlap removal project is underway.

Every autumn for as long as I’ve been gardening I’ve covered all my boxwood shrubs, various winter-sensitive plants, and outdoor ornamental urns to protect them from the season’s heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and damaging winds. Then, every spring when the ground begins to thaw, it’s all removed and stored away.

The outdoor grounds crew spends several days removing all the burlap, exposing the lush green plantings well in time for Easter - this year on Sunday, April 21st. The entire process is a big undertaking; however, knowing my plants are protected during winter is a great comfort. And, seeing all the healthy, intact shrubbery and foliage at the start of the season is an even greater delight. Here are some photos - enjoy.

: Once the temperatures are consistently above freezing, it’s time to remove the protective burlap coverings from all the boxwood around the farm. All of the coverings are custom wrapped and sewn to fit each individual shrub, hedge, or bush.

: We use industrial burlap that’s available in giant rolls of 40-inches or 60-inches wide. These covers are used for about three seasons before being replaced.

: The burlap and all the supplies are removed gently, so as to preserve as much burlap as possible.

: Chhewang ties the sections of burlap with jute twine – we use this natural twine for many projects at the farm.

: Once the burlap is off, whatever is reusable gets labeled for easy identification next fall.

: Here is Chhewang carrying two rolls of burlap to the truck for storage.

: In general, burlap is very strong and can withstand weathering and repeated wetting and drying with minimal loss of durability. I have been using burlap to protect these plantings for many years.

: Dawa removes the wooden strips that help to sandwich and secure the burlap around the specimens.

: We build these burlap frames using metal supports and wooden stakes milled right here at the farm.

: The frames are built at least one foot above the hedge so even the heaviest snow doesn’t weigh the burlap down and crush the tender foliage. They are also buried about eight-inches into the ground, so they are secure. And come spring, one by one, they are removed – ever so carefully.

: All the wood used is stacked and saved for the next winter season.

: Here is my upper terrace parterre once all the burlap is gone – removing the burlap changes the entire appearance of the area.

: Burlap is also removed from the boxwood hedges and shrubs in my Summer House garden.

: The burlap removal reveals what we hope for every year – green, healthy boxwood.

: All these rolls of fabric will be placed in our storage shed where it can be kept dry. One of the few downsides to this fabric is that it will start to fray and disintegrate after time, especially if exposed to moisture.

: Down at my long Boxwood Allee, Phurba carefully removes the burlap surrounding these big shrubs – they’ve grown so much over the years. Every winter, these burlap tents are made taller and taller to accommodate their size.

: The burlap acts as a good wind barrier for any shrubs or plants which could be prone to wind damage and windburn. They also protect them from the cold and snow. Because of all the dust from the burlap fibers, it helps to wear protective masks.

: Each strip is screwed carefully into the stakes, so removing them takes quite a bit of time.

: The strips are also collected and stored for next year.

: And so are the screws.

: Burlapping allows air to circulate around the plantings through the small mesh holes of the fabric.

: Here, Phurba uses a long stake to lift the burlap off of the shrub and onto the frame, so when it is pulled, it does not pull the precious foliage. Our crew has been doing this for years – they have streamlined the process.

: Here’s Phurba rolling a long section of burlap – a much faster process than putting the burlap up, but still quite time-consuming.

: Here, Pete dismantles the frames. It takes about a week to remove all the fabric and supports.

: Some question whether covering plantings each winter really helps, but look how green, lush and intact the plantings are when uncovered – I definitely feel it is worth the time and effort.