Planting Privet Hedge Replacements on Long Island (Zone 6)

Long Island, NY (zone 6), ½ mile from Sound. Hot, dry summer. Lost several privets. When to plant replacements? Spacing? Nursery plants ~2 ft tall.

Planting Window

• Container-grown = ANY time ground not frozen.
• Better: FALL. Cooling air, warm soil = root growth before winter.

Spacing & Technique

• 2–2.5 ft apart.
• Hole 1.5× container size.
• Bone meal in hole bottom + backfill.
• Firm with foot at intervals.
• Water in well.
• Mulch with leaf mold/compost.

First Year

Water frequently in dry weather. Then self-sufficient.

Fall planting + bone meal + mulch = best establishment.