Creating a Deadwood Hedge: Repurposing for a Good Purpose

This week at ECO Farm, we kicked off an exciting new project: building our very first deadwood hedge! With the help of our summer interns, Annika and Bianca, we've begun crafting this natural barrier along the outskirts of the farm using repurposed dead branches and twigs gathered from around the property. This project poses many ecological benefits to our gardens and the environment!

What Is a Deadwood Hedge?

A deadwood hedge is a low-maintenance, sustainable structure made from posts spaced around six feet apart, filled in with layers of dead branches, twigs, and other organic matter. By repurposing this debris, we can create a natural fence teeming with life!

Why Build One?

Deadwood hedges can benefit your garden in many ways, such as:

• Define garden spaces or mark property lines naturally

• Act as windbreaks to shield delicate plants

• Help manage runoff and reduce flooding

• Serve as a living trellis for climbing plants like pole beans, tomatoes, honeysuckle, and more

• Provide shelter and nesting places for birds, insects, snakes, lizards, and small mammals like squirrels and voles

• Enrich the soil as organic matter decomposes, improving the soil structure, moisture retention, and fertility

• Prevent soil erosion by acting as a natural barrier to water flow

Bianca, one of our interns, has taken this on as her independent project during her time with us. She’ll be monitoring the hedge and documenting any signs of new wildlife or ecological changes. We’re excited to see what kinds of critters find a home in our new habitat, and even more excited to share those discoveries with you!

We plan to extend the deadwood hedge to other areas around the farm and hope it inspires others to consider building their own eco-friendly garden features!