Fall is best time to feed main meals in the form of fertilizer to trees, shrubs, and hedges. Spring is okay but is optional.

Unfortunately the only fertilizer generally sold in most garden centers for trees, is a product that comes in the form of spikes. According to the arborists we have contacted, tree spikes, designed to be pounded down into the soil around the tree, are not effective in providing a large tree with all the nutrients it needs.

While there are no dry fertilizers designed for shrubs in general, you will find some products in boxes or small or large bags designed to feed the acid loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendron, and hollies. These are good products as long as the nitrogen in the package is mostly slow release type of nitrogen.

When all is said and done yardeners should use a standard slow release all-purpose granulated fertilizer for satisfactory results for trees and shrubs in the home landscape. Even a slow release lawn fertilizer can be used, but a general purpose type slow release fertilizer is the best choice. Spread slow release granular fertilizer on the soil or mulch out to, and a bit beyond, the drip line of the tree or shrub sometime in September or October. A spring feeding in April or May is optional but will definitely help these plants.

For more information about fertilizing trees Click Here. Information about fertilizing shrubs is found in the individual shrub files in Yardener's Helper.