A lush garden hedge can create more than a barrier between properties, and it’s a useful way to lower noisy traffic or nearby neighbors. Planting a hedge is an attractive way to muffle sounds and enclose your property while creating a lush backdrop for a bed of flowers. And it might encourage songbirds to take up residence. But planting a hedge is also a commitment that includes regular maintenance, weeding, clipping and trimming.
You’ll get the best planting advice from a local garden center about property conditions and soil and choosing hedging material that grows well in your area. Ask about spacing requirements, so you allow plenty of growing room between the plants. Find out what type and how much fertilizer to add, and ask about the best time to clip and trim the hedge.
A landscape service charges $1,228, including labor and material, to plant a 30-foot hedge of 10 boxwood plants. Boxwood is a popular hedging material because it’s attractive and grows relatively fast. You can do the job yourself for $910 for 10 plants and fertilizer and pocket a 29% saving. The job involves digging the holes for the plants, fertilizing the soil and planting them.
Before you begin any planting between your property and your neighbors’ property, consult your survey so you (and your neighbor) understand where property lines begin and end.
To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.
Pro Cost — DIY Cost — Pro time — DIY Time — DIY Savings — Percent Saved
$1,288 — $910 — 10.0 — 13.5 — $378 — 29%
