How to Fertilize Hedges

Whether deciduous or evergreen, hedges are heavy feeding plants that require annual fertilizing to maintain their appearance and produce ample foliage. Hedges can be fertilized using a either a slow-release phosphorous fertilizer or an organic fertilizer mix. The best time for hedge fertilizing is in early spring, as the fresh fertilizer will give the hedges the energy necessary to produce lush foliage.

Chemical Fertilizer

Organic Fertilizer

Fertilizing Hedges

Fertilizing hedges is more of an art than a science. The type and amount of fertilizer needed depends the shrub variety, age of the hedge, the spacing of the shrubs and the growing conditions. Soil testing gives accurate information for fertilizing hedges. Over-fertilizing hedges causes excessive growth that requires additional pruning and makes hedges susceptible to cold injury and breakage during heavy winds. Balled and burlapped and bare root hedge plants take an especially long time to establish and shouldn't be fertilized in the first season unless the soil quality is poor. Fertilize fall-planted hedges in spring, and wait six to eight weeks before fertilizing spring-planted hedges. As a general guideline, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of a 16-4-8 fertilizer or similar high-nitrogen product around the edges of each planting hole, or apply the product according to the manufacturer's instructions. Organic fertilizers offer the benefit of being slow-release, so are less likely to burn hedge plant roots or leach into ground water, but plant response may be slow and some products don't give nutrient analyses.