Laurel hedges are one of the most popular types of hedging plants. They have a great shape and can be used to create an effective border for your garden or as a screen for your home. Laurel hedge plants are easy to care for and look great when they are kept in good health. Fertilizing Laurel hedge is an important part of maintaining its healthy appearance.
Laurel Hedge needs nutrients such as Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Potassium, and if any of these nutrients is lacking, the Laurel Hedge will suffer some defects. Different plants require different amounts of these essential nutrients. Laurel Hedge requires a fertilizer that can provide timely nutrients in adequate quantity.
There are a few different choices of Laurel hedge fertilizer available. You can choose a slow-release fertilizer, compost, or complete fertilizer. Make sure to use a fertilizer that is suitable for your soil type, which is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Here are different fertilizers for Laurel hedge and conditions that allow the effectiveness of these fertilizers.
Environmental Conditions for Growing Laurel Hedge
Laurel hedging thrives in acidic to slightly alkaline soil. The pH of your soil is important for the health of your English laurel; too acidic will result in a poorly growing hedge. If you’re unsure of the soil pH, you can purchase a soil-testing probe to conduct a soil test yourself.
Soil pH levels range from 1 to 14, with 7 being neutral. The best soil pH for Laurel hedge is between 6.5 and 7.5 Soil pH directly affects the availability of soil minerals for plants. If the soil pH is too high, you can add pelletized limestone to the soil or apply large amounts of organic matter to the soil to regulate the soil pH.
Read later:
- How To Improve Soil Acidity And Alkalinity By Liming
- How To Identify Fertile Soil Physically Without Carrying Out Soil TestÂ
Fertilizer Choices For Laurel Hedge
There are many different types of fertilizers available on the market today. Each type comes with its own advantages and disadvantages:
Using Slow-release fertilizer
Slow-release fertilizers are those types of fertilizers that release nutrients into the soil slowly for a very long time. They are made from natural materials and are rich in major plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Well-rotted manure and organic compost made from vegetable matter are good examples of slow-release fertilizers.
Laurels prefer a slow-release fertilizer like compost. Aside from the slow and steady release of nutrients into the soil, compost also helps to improve the soil structure and texture; it serves are a good growth medium for beneficial microorganisms living in the soil.
Compost is less likely to burn the foliage of the Laurel Hedge when applied. For best performance, the compost is best applied with mulch. The mulch such as bark chippings or garden compost help retain moisture and regulate the soil temperatures.
When choosing a slow-release fertilizer for Laurel Hedge, we recommend high-quality compost from an organic garden store or choose other slow-release fertilizer products. Here are some recommendations:
FoxFarm FX14115 Bush Doctor Wholly Mackerel, 1 gal Nutrient, 1 Gallon, White
FoxFarm FX14115 Bush Doctor is a liquid slow-release fertilizer rich in Nitrogen and other essential nutrients. It is easy to apply and has no pungent smell. You can order on Amazon.
PowerSi Granular 500g
Power Si Granular is the only slow-release granular fertilizer containing stabilized silica, and other proprietary ingredients. It helps to release the locked-up nutrients from the soil. Power Si Granular promotes rapid root and it can be used on any ornamental and landscape plant like the Laurel hedge. You can order on Amazon.
Using Balanced Fertilizers
Balanced or completed fertilizer is a specially formulated type of fertilizer that contains certain nutrients to meet an urgent need of the plant. An example is the NPK 10: 10: 10 or 15:15:15. The complete fertilizer is highly beneficial to the Laurel Hedge because it contains a high concentration of this required nutrient.
Unlike slow-release fertilizers, the complete fertilizer releases nutrients fast for the immediate use of the Laurel Hedge. This product contains all the nutrients your hedge needs to flourish at a certain growth stage. Hence, it can be applied every two weeks during the growing season.
When fertilizing the Laurel Hedge with any of the complete fertilizers, it is best to apply at the application rate recommended by the manufacturer; this is to avoid too much fertilizer as this could burn the roots and leaves of the plant. You can find the usage guide on the label of the fertilizers after purchase.
We recommend this complete fertilizer for the laurel hedge:
Scotts 110500 Super Bloom Water Soluble Plant Food, 2-Pound (2 Pack)
Scotts 110500 Super Bloom is a water-soluble fertilizer good for laurel hedges. It contains high phosphorus required for good root growth as well as stem development. It is recommended to apply this fertilizer every 1-2 weeks for best results. You can order from Amazon
Tips For Fertilizing Laurel Hedge
- Fertilizer is best applied to Laurel Hedge during the early spring and mid-summer.
- Feed Laurel Hedge during the coolest part of the day, I recommend during the evening.
- Water the Laurel Hedge immediately after fertilizer application
- It is highly beneficial to prune the Laurel Hedge before applying fertilizer
- Mulching Laurel Hedge will improve the efficacy of the fertilizer.
End Notes
Fertilizing your hedge regularly will make it look its best for many years to come. If you are looking for a way to improve the quality and appearance of your laurel hedge, then it is important to know how to feed them.
The best way to feed your laurel hedges is by using a slow-release fertilizer that contains trace elements such as copper, manganese, zinc, iron, and boron. When these minerals are added to your laurel hedge, they will help make it strong and healthy.