trees and shrubs

A Safe and Easy Way to Fertilize Shrubs, Trees and Perennials

In the fall, plants stop sending water and minerals up to the leaves. Instead, they will use these nutrients to increase root mass, and to store up food for the winter as well. The changing of the color and dropping of leaves accompanies this phase of the growth cycle.

By fertilizing at this time of the year, you allow the shrubs and trees to store up food as it sees fit for next year’s growth. We call this a dormant feeding, since above ground growth has stopped. But underground these plants are not dormant at all. The roots are very active (until the ground freezes) and will grab the fertilizer quickly.  You can apply fertilizer much heavier at this stage without fear of leaf burn or flower drop.

How to Fertilize

We suggest a liquid soil drench for dormant feeding. Soaking the soil this way gets nutrients into the soil fast. You can apply with just a watering can, or use a hose-end sprayer for larger areas.  Let the rain or even snow move the nutrients down deeper into the roots as the fall turns to winter.  You can apply the fertilizer right over the plant and the surrounding soil where the roots will spread to.  For older trees, you don’t need to fertilize too close to the trunk. (See below)

What to Use

One of our favorite All-Purpose fertilizers for shrubs and trees is our 10-8-8 Bio-Enhanced Liquid Fertilizer. This contains all the basic nutrients and is good for flowering and non-flowering plants and trees alike. If you are fertilizing mostly evergreens or non-flowering trees or plants you could also use our 16-4-8 Fertilizer instead, or even the All-In-One for LAWNS (a 14-3-7 fertilizer) if you have some extra to spare. The beneficial root fungus (mycorrhizae) in All-In-One is especially great for shrubs and trees this time of year.

If you are looking for a certified organic fertilizer then go with either of our Fish Fertilizers. The Aqua Power 5-1-1 is especially good for evergreens, hedges and plants that flower very little.  The Neptune’s Harvest 2-4-1 fertilizer is better for flowering or fruiting plants since it has a higher concentration of Phosphorus.

Where to Fertilize Trees

Here is a good illustration of where to water, which is the same as where you would want to fertilize a tree.