If you’re planning to plant a new native hedgerow this winter, the BN11 Planting New Hedges grant could help towards the cost. Capital Grants 2026 applications opened in July, with BN11 – Planting New Hedges – available as part of the scheme. The current payment rate is £22.97 per metre of eligible hedgerow planted. With the bareroot planting season approaching, getting organised now gives you plenty of time to plan your hedge, prepare your application, work out how many plants you’ll need and get the area ready for winter planting.
What is BN11?
BN11 is the capital item for planting new hedges. It is intended to support the creation of new native hedgerows that can provide valuable habitat and food sources for wildlife, while also helping to capture carbon and, in the right locations, reduce issues such as soil erosion and runoff. It is important to remember that BN11 is for new lengths of hedgerow. If you’re filling gaps of 20 metres or less in an existing hedge, BN7 – Hedgerow Gapping-up – may be the more appropriate option. For a more detailed look at the BN11 scheme and its requirements, you can also read our guide to the Hedging Grants & The BN11 Scheme.
Start planning your BN11 compliant hedgerow now
Before the planting season arrives, there are a few things worth thinking about. First, consider exactly where your new hedge will be planted and how many metres of hedging you need. The location is an important part of a BN11 application, as the proposed planting must meet the scheme’s eligibility requirements. You’ll also need to think about your planting mix, the number of plants required and how you will prepare the ground before planting. Planning this early means you’re not trying to organise everything once the bareroot season is already underway.
BN11 has specific planting requirements. Plants must be 2-year-old transplants between 450mm and 600mm high and consist of native species, with no single species making up more than 70% of the total mix. They must be planted in a double staggered row, 40cm apart, with at least 6 plants per metre of hedgerow. At Farlow Farm, we grow mixed native hedging suitable for BN11 planting requirements. Our standard native mix contains 70% Hawthorn, 15% Hazel, 15% Field Maple. Our local native mix consists of 60% Hawthorn, 15% Hazel, 15% Field Maple, 10% mixed native shrubs, including Holly. Both mixes provide a selection of native species for creating new hedgerows, while meeting the requirement that no single species makes up more than 70% of the planting mix. However, we can mix any native varieties together to suit your local surroundings.
One of the first things to work out when planning a new hedge is how many plants you will need. BN11 requires a minimum of 6 plants per metre meaning you’ll need:
| Length of hedge | Minimum number of plants |
|---|---|
| 50 metres | 300 plants |
| 100 metres | 600 plants |
| 250 metres | 1,500 plants |
| 500 metres | 3,000 plants |
Working out your quantities early can make ordering and organising your planting project much easier. If you’re planning a larger project and aren’t sure how many plants you need, we’re always happy to help you work out your requirements.
Get ready for winter planting
BN11 hedges must be planted between 1 November and 31 March, although planting should be delayed if the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Bareroot hedging is ideally suited to winter planting, and demand can increase as the planting season gets closer, so early preparation is key. Under the current BN11 requirements, the planting strip must be at least 1.5 metres wide and existing vegetation should be cleared to reduce competition for the new plants. The guidance also sets out requirements around weed control and keeping the newly planted hedge clear of competing weeds while it becomes established. Getting this work underway before your plants arrive can make planting much more straightforward. Think about marking out the hedge line, preparing the planting strip and making sure you have everything ready for the planting season. If your new hedge will need protection from livestock or wildlife, it’s also worth planning for this in advance.
Planning a BN11 hedging project?
If you’re applying for BN11 funding and starting to plan your new hedgerow, now is the time to start thinking about your planting mix, quantities and ground preparation. We grow a range of native and bareroot hedging here at Farlow Farm, including BN11-compliant mixed native hedging for larger planting projects. Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements, or browse our range of native and bareroot hedging online.
Please note: Grant eligibility, application requirements and payment rates can change. Always check the latest official guidance before submitting an application or purchasing plants for a funded project.