Fertilizing Shrubs & Trees

Fertilizing or applying nutrients to your plants should always be done with a purpose in mind. It may be to help newly planted shrubs establish and "fill out" quickly in the landscape or to help mature plants recover from drought or pest injury. The best times to fertilize is before or during bud-break in the spring and in the fall when the plants are dormant. Fertilizer will be taken up by the roots whenever the soil temperature remains above 40 degrees F.

Select slow-release nitrogen fertilizers (one-half of the total amount of nitrogen is water insoluble nitrogen or W. I. N.) for sandy soils, compacted clay soils, or sloped areas where the potential for runoff is very high. Since the nutrients are released slowly, you reduce the chances of polluting surface and groundwater and "burning" plants.

Be mindful that shrubs and trees growing in fertilized lawns may not require additional fertilization. Also, if your plants have reached their mature size (or the size you want them) and look healthy, you may not need to supply them with nutrients.