The Boxwood Allee is Covered in Burlap for the Winter
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, the outdoor grounds crew is busy "burlapping".
As many of you know, I am a big supporter of covering my boxwood with burlap for the winter. The burlap insulates the plantings and protects the tender branches from splaying and breaking from the weight of snow. It’s a practice I've followed for many years, and I think it also provides a cozy and pretty look to the winter landscape. There are several main areas that are covered, but the biggest "burlapping" project is down by the stable, at my long Boxwood Allee. The outdoor grounds crew tackled this first.
Enjoy these photos.
-
- One of the first signs winter is just around the corner is the sight of stakes and burlap around various shrubs and hedges on the farm. Here at the Boxwood Allee, the first stake is put in the ground for this season’s burlap frame.
-
- For the long Boxwood Allee, we start by positioning all the wooden stakes and metal supports that are needed to secure the burlap covers. These wooden stakes measure about one-and-a-half inches by one-and-a-half inches square and vary in height depending on the height of the plantings.
-
- Phurba uses a steel post pounder to drive the vertical supports into the soil below. This takes a lot of elbow grease, but our outdoor grounds crew is very strong.
-
- For this phase of the project, we also use landscaping twine, which is easy to see and comes in large rolls.
-
- A length of twine is used to create a guide, so all the uprights are straight and level. These frames are built using eight to 10-foot tall wooden stakes planted securely into the ground. The uprights get taller as the years pass because of the growth of the boxwood.
-
- Chhiring then screws in horizontal pieces of wood and metal across several uprights.
-
- Constructing the frame for the burlap takes several days, but the process is well worth the effort during cold snaps, high winds and snow storms.
-
- Here is a row of vertical stakes placed every few feet in between the shrubs and topped with the horizontal supports.
-
- The allee is now all framed on both sides of the carriage road. Building the frame at least a foot taller than the boxwood protects any heavy snow from weighing down onto the tender foliage.
-
- Meanwhile, Fernando pounds smaller stakes into the ground along the entire front of the boxwood rows.
-
- These short wooden stakes provide points at which the burlap can be fastened.
-
- Next, it’s time to drape the fabric over the boxwood. Whenever possible, we use burlap covers from previous years. On average, the burlap lasts us three seasons.
-
- All the wooden stakes, strips and shims are milled at the farm and get reused from year to year. Even scraps of wood can be repurposed for various projects. The strips are about six to eight inches long – just long enough to accommodate two screws that will keep the burlap secure for the season.
-
- To make it taut, the burlap is pulled down and attached to the ground stakes with wooden strips and screws.
-
- The heavy burlap is placed by hand over the frames, one section at a time.
-
- Sod staples are also used at certain points between the strips to keep the bottom of the burlap tight and close to the ground.
-
- At the ends, any extra burlap is gathered, pulled taut, neatly tucked in at the bottom, sewn together and then secured with more stakes, and strips.
-
- As with all the burlap projects on the farm, everything is sewn together with jute twine.
-
- And all the sewing is done using five-inch long craft needles specifically made for working with jute – every member of the outdoor grounds crew has their own.
-
- Because burlap deteriorates after time, every year we reuse a section, we also inspect the fabric for any holes or rips that need repair.
-
- The other side of the burlap is also secured – these covers are done carefully, so it provides strong protection through the winter and until everything is removed again in spring.
-
- The taller boxwood shrubs are wrapped differently, with additional burlap to cover the top, following the shape of the shrub.
-
- When it isn’t possible to use older pieces, we create new covers. 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. Burlap is relatively inexpensive and available at garden centers.
-
- Dawa 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 for use next year.
-
- Chhewang sews the long sections together by hand.
-
- Everyone on the crew has developed very good sewing skills.
-
- Here, it is easy to see how the sections are connected to create very wide burlap covers.
-
- Here’s Chhewang securing another end section – making it all tight and tidy as he sews.
-
- Here is a 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.
-
- The last sections of the Boxwood Allee to be completed are the shorter sides facing the stable – here is one side.
-
- Here is the other side. The crew has perfected our “burlapping process” – it looks great.
-
- And here is the Allee all finished. 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 coming winter unscathed.
-
- Here’s a view of the finished Boxwood Allee from above – taken with a drone.
-
- And here is a view from my terrace parterre in front of my Winter house. These coverings are very functional but also very pretty when complete. How do you protect your precious outdoor boxwood shrubs and hedges? I love hearing from you, so please let me know in the comments section below.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
