Hole in boundary hedge, how do I repair?

[purplekat]

I've starting to clear a massive overgrown patch of blackberries at the back of my allotment. I've found that the house to the back has cut a couple of big holes in the hedge, and has been throwing their garden waste over into the allotment. I've chopped the brambles at the front, and they are in the process of being cleared, but there is a big pile of the gardens waste in both holes about 1m wide and deep...



I would like to repair the hedge so I'm not overlooked and also to secure the allotment boundary. I can't replant in the hole, as they are likely to just cut it back down. I was planning on leaving their garden waste (it's spiky so hopefully would deter anyone from climbing over) and just planting in front, but don't know what would be best to use. Any suggestions? This part of my allotment is going to be an orchard/wildlife area.

[Alchemilla]

Maybe hazel (grows quite tall and straight sometimes, so might fit the shape of your holes?) or hawthorn?

You could even "rearrange" the garden waste to be a bit higher and plant an annual climber (hops?) to scramble over it, making it a bit more dense whilst your hedge replacement grows...

Is there a particular reason why you can't just have a friendly chat with your neighbours about how you would both like the boundary to be planted?

Maybe they didn't cut anything down, but whatever was under that ivy collapsed and the garden waste was their somewhat inept attempt to fill the gaps and improve their privacy?

[Bigmallly]

Chicken wire & cable ties?

[mothhawk]

I think Alchemilla is right - that patch of hedge died off with the covering of ivy and brambles, and your neighbours have shoved prickly stuff in the gap to prevent anyone getting onto the back of their property from the allotments.

What are the hedging plants, under all that ivy? If it's hawthorn or blackthorn, or even privet, you can lay it and it will quickly grow tall again.

[Bill Door]

Hi purplekat. Bit of a b***er finding those holes.

I think I might have a word with the site manager first and suggest that someone needs to speak to the neighbour. Perhaps they need to fix their "fence" first. There would appear to be the potential for a "fly tipping" charge as well.


Good luck

Bill

[purplekat]

Is there a particular reason why you can't just have a friendly chat with your neighbours about how you would both like the boundary to be planted?

I've been there a year and never seen them - there is no access to the allotments on that side (my plot is about as far as you can get from the access gates) and with the way the roads run, it's in a completely different residential area.

I think the hedge is blackthorn although I don't remember seeing any berries, I will try laying some of the branches across the gap to see it they will regrow, or see if they disappear again!. I'm planning on speaking to the site manager when I see her, although with the bad weather we've had lately I've not actually seen anyone around for ages.

Thanks

[WendyC]

I think you need to stabilise whose boundary the hedge/ fence is. The allotment or the home owner? I think then I would hand it over to whoever runs your allotments. For example I know the Parish Council is responsible for our fence as we've recently had it repaired.

[purplekat]

Ok, so people seemed to think it was hedge die off before, and at the time I thought they might be right, but it's happened again



First pic is from a few weeks ago, I'd tried to pull as much hedge as I could across the gap and it was starting to fill in nicely. Then I went down a few days ago and the giant hole was back (small tree at front is the cherry plum I'd planted to help fill the gap in case it was the hedge dying off). There is now no doubt that it was cut down deliberately, I honestly can't think of a valid reason to just cut a giant hole in a hedge like that, unless they are wanting access to the allotment/want a place to fly tip.

I'm going to talk to the committee next time I see them, to try and establish who owns the hedge, but obviously just filling the hedge is not going to work.

[veggiechicken]

Does the "hedge" block the light into their garden?

[Jungle Jane]

Their door is quite low,it might make their room brighter like it is with the gap in the hedge?

[vixylix]

I think communication is key here... whether its the committee or you, someone needs to speak to them and find out whats going on, before it leads to issues and resentment

[Stan79]

As has already been said above, why don't you just pop round and ask them about it?

[purplekat]

The hedge is about 50ft from their windows/door. The hedge is to the west of the garden so doesn't block any light apart from the bottom of their garden, and if it was for that reason then surely they would chop the whole thing down, rather than a random hole in the middle of it.

Still not seen any of the committee to ask whether the hedge is allotment property or not, so thanks for the replies everyone.

[Jungle Jane]

It looks like the garden has a fence & the hedge is on the allotment side but I can't see clearly in the photo? Someone has given the two hedges a good tidy up,they look neat now,whereas before they're messy,maybe they just always prune/hedge trimmer it? I'd plant lots of something where the gap is for an easy life,if it was the allotments hedge I wouldn't want to ask the homeowners anything that could lead to a disagreement or make them feel uncomfortable.

[Nicos]

Maybe, if you see them in their garden , go over and lean on the fence and start to chatter to them about absolutely anything...and chat and chat and chat...as long as you can spare.
And do the same next time....eventually they might feel their privacy is being invaded and do something to fill in the gap on their side!

On the other hand, they may enjoy your company so that may not work!

Plan B....

Lean over and natter to them and talk about security/ access now to their house from the lottie...that may do the trick?

Plan C ....

Chat with the allotment committee a spend ask them to find out what's going on.

My MIL has a back garden backing onto playing fields and about 30 yrs ago planted some trees on the other side of their fence..ie on the council property.
They are so big now that she needs to trim them back as they are blocking a lot of light from her garden.
Thing is...the Council now won't let her!

Her idea of creating some natural privacy has backfired a tad.