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FERTILIZATION TIPS
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Turf
Fertilization should be done in early spring with an
18-5-9 fertilizer at 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000
sq. ft. In September, October and November, one
pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. should be
applied. The fertilizer should be watered in
thoroughly after each application. Slow release
fertilizers should be used whenever feasible and
don't forget the off-season feeding in late fall.
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Deciduous Trees
A deep rooted feeding, using a soil auger, will mean
shallow rooted plants will not be overfed in order
to feed the tree and will not rob the tree's deeper
roots of nutrients. The best time for feeding is
mid-October and should be applied at the rate of 1/2
pound for each foot of tree height on young trees
and two pounds for each inch of trunk diameter.
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Deciduous Shrubs
The optimum period for fertilizing deciduous shrubs
is early spring and should be applied at a rate of
2-3 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. of
shrub beds. Use a 2:1:1 ratio fertilizer, being
careful to prevent fertilizer drifting into turf
areas.
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Coniferous Evergreen
Trees & Shrubs
Like deciduous trees, coniferous evergreen trees and
shrubs are best fed in mid-October. Conifers are
slow constant feeders and prefer slow-release type
fertilizers. Feed coniferous evergreen trees at the
same rate as you would deciduous trees. Coniferous
evergreen shrubs are best fed about August 1st. Rake
existing mulch up and pile close at hand. Spread a
well composted steer manure as follows:
One inch deep under young coniferous evergreen
shrubs, which are three feet, and under.
One and 1/2 inches deep for evergreen shrubs up to
ten feet tall.
CAUTION: Most conifers prefer a soil that is neither
strongly alkaline nor acidic. Test soil once a year
to maintain a neutral pH of 7.0.
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Broadleaved Evergreen
Shrubs
Broad-leafed evergreens, like the conifers, prefer a
slow release fertilizer and should be applied in
spring (never after early June). Fertilizers should
be watered in well after each application.
Broad-leafed evergreens preferring an acidic soil
should be spread in mid-March at a rate of 1/2 cup
of azalea food for a 5-year-old hybrid. Spread it
over the root area under the shrub and repeat this
process three weeks and six weeks later.
Broad-leafed evergreens preferring a more alkaline
soil should be fertilized by spreading an organic
10-3/5 fertilizer at the rate of one pound for every
20 sq. ft. of shrub bed. This should be done in
mid-February and repeated in the third week of April
and first week of June.
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Groundcovers
Groundcover plants respond best to an annual spring
application of a 5-10-5 fertilizer at the rate of 3
pounds per 100 sq. ft of bed. Be sure to wash the
foliage thoroughly with a strong spray after
application to prevent burning and to flush the
nutrients into the soil. |
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