How To Properly Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs

If you have young trees and shrubs that may not be fully established yet, it is a good idea to fertilize those trees and shrubs in the spring and fall months. Always conduct a soil test before choosing your fertilizer to ensure you are feeding your plant the proper nutrients that it needs to thrive! However, if you are unsure, any slow-release organic fertilizer is usually a safe bet.

Regardless of the fertilizer you choose, there will be an application measurement chart located on the back of the bag of fertilizer to help you determine exactly how much fertilizer you need to be using for your plant. 

When you are applying fertilizer to a young tree or shrub, the goal is to get the fertilizer as close to the root system as possible. There are many different kinds of garden tools available to assist with this, but all you really need to get the job done is a basic garden shovel.

Use the garden shovel to lift up little bits of sod all around the dripline of your tree or shrub, apply the fertilizer underneath the sod in these areas, and then use the shovel to cover the fertilizer back up with sod. The dripline of your tree or shrub refers to the area where the outer edges of the foliage ends. If you think of your plant as a giant umbrella, the dripline is where the rain would be falling off of your umbrella. Underneath the dripline is the most important part of the root system to ensure it is properly fed with fertilizer, so keep this in mind when you are choosing your fertilizer application spots around your tree or shrub!