Wrapping My Terrace Hedges and Shrubs with Burlap
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, the outdoor grounds crew is busy "burlapping".
Burlap covers protect the tender branches from splaying and breaking from the weight of snow, while shielding the foliage from freezing windburn. 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. This season, we've been very fortunate - milder autumn temperatures allowed us to get a good start on this big project. And just in time - this past weekend, we woke up to several inches of snow.
Enjoy these "burlapping" photos.
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- One of the first areas to be covered in burlap is my terrace outside my Winter House. We cover all the big boxwood shrubs and the shorter boxwood hedges that surround them.
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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 labeled and saved for use the following year.
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- We also use wooden stakes to support the burlap. These one-and-a-half by one-and-a-half inch pieces are milled right here at my farm and can be used again and again.
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- And of course, this project requires rolls and rolls of jute twine.
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- The needles are specially designed for sewing jute. These five-inch long needles have large eyes and bent tips. Each member of the crew has their own needle.
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- Here is Chhewang unraveling a piece of burlap saved from a previous season. When using new burlap, it is unrolled and cut to the measurements of the hedge or shrub being covered.
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- Pete places stakes at the corners of each hedge. Snow was expected over the weekend, so many hands were needed to get the job done quickly.
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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.
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- Chhewang ensures each upright stake is well connected to the horizontal pieces.
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- To make sure all the sections are level, Chhewang uses orange construction twine to create a level guide.
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- This adds a little more time to the process, but it keeps everything neat and tidy.
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- 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 burlap is carefully placed around the planting. Unused stakes help to carefully lift the burlap onto the boxwood.
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- Phurba then looks at the cover from all sides.
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- And makes a few adjustments.
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- These are sod staples – we use these for many projects around the farm. They are great for securing the burlap at the bottom.
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- Phurba places one staple every couple of feet, being sure every section of the hedge is covered tightly.
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- This giant boxwood looks really great – now onto the next one.
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- The crew has gone through the process several times – it is a well executed production line. Here is Chhewang placing the burlap cover over another giant boxwood.
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- Meanwhile, once completely wrapped, the burlap is pulled tightly against the frame and hand-sewn closed.
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- Everyone on the crew has developed very good sewing skills.
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- Chhiring is an excellent tailor.
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- Here is one section of the terrace parterre completed – everything is tight and secure.
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- Phurba covers another hedge. Because the burlap covers are custom fitted for each hedge and shrub, any burlap cover from past seasons is labeled, so it can be reused in the same exact location the following year.
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- Here is Chhiring sewing the cover securely.
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- By late afternoon, the upper and lower terraces are complete.
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- Here is a view looking down toward the stable, where the Boxwood Allee is also in the process of getting covered with burlap.
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- The entire process of wrapping all the boxwood shrubs, hedges, and various other plantings, takes several weeks to complete, but it is well-worth the effort to protect all these beautiful specimens. This area in front of my home is finished and ready for the winter ahead.
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