Rochester Community Hedgerow Planting Support

For the Rochester Community Project we supported FoRCE (Friends of Rochester Churchfields & Esplanade) with a volunteer planting day as part of their new Hedgerow Project in Rochester, Medway. In November 2025 Sustainable Garden Solutions helped volunteers plant the first run of native hedgerow whips into pre-dug trenches to create long-term habitat, natural protection, and a greener, more resilient community space.

The trenches had already been prepared earlier in the project, and our role was to make sure the planting was done in a way that gives the hedgerow the best chance to thrive. We sorted and distributed the whips so species were evenly mixed across the run, then provided an on-site demonstration of correct planting methods and spacing so the volunteer team could work efficiently and consistently. The native mix included hawthorn, maple, hazel, alder and hornbeam, chosen to form a robust boundary that supports wildlife over time.

Despite proper autumn conditions with fog and wet ground the turnout was strong, including the Medway Volunteer Police Cadets and their leaders. Days like this show what community projects can achieve when volunteering, conservation, and practical horticultural guidance come together to support urban greening and lasting improvement to local landscapes.