Protecting Hedges and Shrubs with Burlap
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, the outdoor grounds crew is busy "burlapping".
As many of you know, I am a big supporter of "burlapping" shrubbery for the winter. Burlap covers protect the tender branches from splaying and breaking under heavy ice and snow while shielding the foliage from strong winds. Burlap is also more effective than plastic because it allows air to circulate through the plants. It is a practice I've followed for many years, and I think it also provides a cozy and pretty look to the winter landscape.
Enjoy these photos.
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- All the wooden stakes, strips and shims get reused from year to year whenever possible. These stakes were milled right here at my farm and have been used for several projects.
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- I always encourage the crew to gather all the necessary supplies and tools first – the right items for the right job. Doing this saves time later.
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- The great “burlapping” project also requires rolls and rolls of jute twine.
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- And needles – these needles are specially designed for sewing jute. These five-inch long needles have large eyes and bent tips.
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- The stakes are used to create frames around the hedges and shrubs. Here is a frame built along the boxwood hedge in the sunken garden behind my Summer House.
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- Rolls and rolls of burlap are needed to cover my hedges and shrubs each winter. After every season, any burlap still in good condition is saved for use the following year.
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- Because the burlap covers are custom fitted for each hedge and shrub, every burlap cover is labeled, so it can be reused in the same exact location the following season.
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- Our burlap covers last up to three seasons depending on the weather, but remember, these boxwood specimens also grow a little more every year, so the covers and frames have to be adjusted each time.
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- Once the cover is on, the end is pulled snug and sewn closed.
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- The section on the left is completed – the smaller boxwood hedge lining the footpath on the right will be covered next.
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- The tall shrubs in front of my Winter House terrace are also covered with protective burlap.
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- Meanwhile, more stakes are placed around the boxwood border surrounding the herbaceous peony bed.
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- Phurba begins framing around the garden. The frames are built at least several inches above the hedge so even the heaviest snow doesn’t weigh the burlap down and crush the tender foliage.
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- The crew has gone through the process several times – it is a well-executed production line.
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- The framing around the bed is done quickly. Metal supports are also used to bolster the wooden frames.
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- Here is one side all done – it looks great.
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- The sides are pulled secure and attached to the stakes with wooden strips every two to three feet along the bottom.
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- The strips are about six to eight inches long – just long enough to accommodate two or three screws that will keep the burlap secure. These are also reused year after year – nothing is wasted at my farm.
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- As you can see, the burlap still allows the boxwood to “breathe”, and get sunlight, which is important even during the colder months. Here is the entrance to the peony bed after all the burlap is secured.
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- And just in time before another snowstorm – this snow is a bit heavier than the last, but now this boxwood is well-protected.
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- These wooden stakes are placed in between every three of the boxwood shrubs at the pergola. To make sure all the sections are level, the crew puts up twine from one end to the other.
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- The stakes are placed sturdily into the ground at least several inches deep.
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- Two-inch screws are used to connect the stakes of each frame. Pete uses metal and wood to ensure everything is as sturdy as possible.
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- Shorter stakes are used to keep the burlap from touching the boxwood on the sides. This frames a tent-like structure around the specimens.
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- Here, Dawa and Phurba unwrap the piece of burlap saved from the previous season and drape it over the frame.
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- As Dawa pulls the burlap taut, Phurba screws in a piece of wood at the bottom, securing it to the stake.
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- And the two gather the ends and sew it all closed.
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- Garden sod staples are also used at the bottom edges.
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- Here’s Carlos carrying stakes to the next location.
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- The pergola is long and curved, but the burlap is measured carefully and cut to fit perfectly.
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- The larger burlap shrubs are also covered – it takes several weeks to completely cover everything needed at the farm.
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- This pergola is one of the first things I see when arriving home. The entire process is well worth the effort to protect all these beautiful specimens. This boxwood is now ready for the winter weather ahead – which officially begins in three days. In an upcoming blog, I’ll show you how we are covering the long Boxwood Allee this year – you’ll love it.
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