Question
HI, we live on Long Island in New York (zone 6 I believe) about 1/2 mile from Long Island Sound.  We've had a very hot, dry summer with no end in sight.  

Over the years we've lost quite of few of our privet hedges and would like to replace them.  When would it be best to plant them, and, how far apart should they be?  They appear to be about 2 feet tall at the nursery where I will probably purchase them...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

Thank you, AJ and Phil

Answer
Hello AJ & Phil

Container grown plants can be planted at any time of the year as long as the ground is not frozen!  That said, if you are having a particularly hot summer, it may be better to wait until the fall to plant.  The weather will be cooling down, but the earth will still be warm enough to encourage the new plants to put down good roots before the really cold weather sets in.

Plant about 2 to 2.5 feet apart.  Make sure that you dig a hole half the size again as the container, incorporate some bone meal into the soil at the bottom of the hole and into the soil dug out.  Plant the privet firmly - use your foot to firm the soil at regular intervals -and give them a good watering in when the hole is full.  Finally, put a mulch of organic matter - leaf mould or well rotted compost - around each one to help to retain moisture.

Water frequently during dry weather in the first growing season, after that the plants should be able to take care of themselves.

Gill