Covering My Long Boxwood Allee for Winter
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, the outdoor grounds crew is busy "burlapping" - a term we use for covering all my winter-sensitive boxwood with burlap.
I am a big supporter of "burlapping" shrubbery for the cold season. 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. "Burlapping" 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 week, the crew finished the biggest part of this project - my long Boxwood Allee.
Enjoy these photos.
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- My long Boxwood Allee extends from the east paddocks and the woodland carriage road all the way to the stone stable. It has developed beautifully over the years, growing larger every season. Here it is in July when all the foliage is bold, beautiful, and green.
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- In late autumn, just before the holidays, my outdoor grounds crew begins the arduous task of covering all the boxwood with burlap – woven fabric usually made from skin of the jute plant or sisal fibers. When it isn’t possible to use older pieces, we create new covers. This year, we needed a fresh supply of burlap. They come in large industrial rolls.
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- The first step is to build the frame structures for the burlap. These pipes are made from rolled galvanized 16 gauge industrial tubing. In all, hundreds of ground stakes, purlin pipes, connectors, nuts, and bolts are used for the project. They are actually parts for greenhouse hoop houses. I knew they would be perfect for the Boxwood Allee.
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- Ground pipes are installed every four feet along the allee. These hollow pipes will anchor the supports. Once the ground pipes are in place, the crew secures taller pipes along the allee.
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- These are 10-foot wide bow sections – they will last quite awhile and give the boxwood a lot of room to grow. Building the frame at least a foot taller than the boxwood protects any heavy snow from weighing down onto the tender foliage.
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- Domi begins securing the bow sections. One can see how much room the boxwood has under the framing. This will allow for good air circulation during the season.
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- Constructing the frame for the burlap takes several days to complete, but the process is well worth the effort during cold snaps, high winds, and snowstorms.
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- Domi connects the tension purlin brackets. They connect the center piping to the bow sections.
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- Then, smaller stakes are dropped next to each frame.
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- These are pounded into the ground next to each steel ground stake. The short wooden stakes provide points at which the burlap can be secured once it is draped over the frames.
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- Meanwhile, Chhiring rolls out sections of burlap to be sewn. The long pieces of burlap are measured to fit each section. After it is removed in spring, it will be labeled, folded and stored in a dry place for use the following year.
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- Because the burlap comes in 48-inch wide and 60-inch wide rolls, it’s necessary to sew lengths of burlap, so it is wide enough to cover the boxwood.
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- Chhiring sews works from one end, while Phurba and Domi work from another. The long sections are all sewn together by hand – five lengths of burlap for each side.
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- The great “burlapping” project requires rolls and rolls of jute twine. Jute twine is a firmly constructed twine that can easily be twisted into rope that holds up against tremendous weight and friction. It’s extremely lightweight and resistant to the effects of intense heat.
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- The project also needs needles – Chhiring actually made this one out of a piece of strong wire. He copied the design from needles specially designed for sewing jute. Every grounds crew member has a needle for sewing.
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- Chhiring has excellent sewing skills – I’ve taught everyone on the outdoor grounds crew how to sew.
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- Hello, my peafowl. The peacocks and peahens are not phased at all by the “burlapping.” Here they are walking up the path from the allee to my Winter House – probably looking for me and some treats.
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- Even scraps of wood can be repurposed for various projects. Here, we cut long wooden stakes into small strips. The strips are about six to eight inches long – just long enough to accommodate two screws that will keep the burlap in place.
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- The burlap is pulled down and attached to the ground stakes using the strips and screws.
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- Here is one of the ends, pulled together and sewn closed.
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- At various points, holes are purposely made for any birds that wish to escape the cold and wind.
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- Here is one finished section of the Boxwood Allee. The burlap still allows the boxwood to “breathe”, and get sunlight, which is important even during the colder months. It is actually very pretty, and gives the allee a whole new look for winter. Any snow that accumulates on top of the finished structures will slide down the sides.
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- These structures will provide strong protection through the winter and until everything is removed again in spring.
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- And here’s the entire length of the allee completely enshrouded in protective burlap. I’ve been “burlapping” for many years and find that this is really the most reliable way to protect my hedges and shrubs. Covering this allee with burlap gives me comfort that all will survive the winter unscathed. What are you “burlapping” this weekend? Share with me in the comments section below.
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