Elderberry Planting/Spacing

I’m getting some year old elderberries from my local extension office. What is the best spacing? Also, should I deep mulch them for winter? I have some extra straw bales. I’m in zone 4.

Mulch is great, new elder plants are not at all good with competition, especially from grasses, etc.

Spacing really depends on your goals.  Commercial growers will plant as tight as 2 ft on 10-12 foot rows.  It also hinges on how many plants you are doing and what style/shape.   I like 6 to 8 foot spacing to create a hedge/wind break over time that fills in.