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Cherry Laurel 4 years old best fertiliser to us

ukgraders78855ukgraders78855 Posts: 3
in Plants
Hi everyone I’m Steve from Notts.
I planted my cherry laurel hedge 4 years ago and now they are around 4/5ft (2ft when planted)but they are growing slowly mainly due to the big trees around them which I think must be taking most of the goodness out of the soil slowing their growth.
I want to feed them annually with a good fertiliser to encourage some growth any advice on the best fertiliser to give them? And when to give it?

Thanks for any help advice given I’ve read a few different options online but feel you folk will know best.
cheers 
Steve

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think it's more important to make sure they have plenty of water throughout the year, because the trees will be taking that much more than nutrients. 
    If you do want to feed them, I would think something reasonably balanced like blood, fish and bone meal or chicken poo pellets or growmore-type pellets would be OK.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • ukgraders78855ukgraders78855 Posts: 3
    Thank you for your message 
    yes I’m thinking from the end of March watering daily or at least keeping the soil damp around them as I don’t want to overwater 
    one problem I had was the dead leaves from the trees totally covering the bases and ground around the plants so I’ve ensured all the dead leaves have been raked away this weekend so the rain can get to the bases if the plants better.

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    A deep watering once a week if they don't get rained on (a full bucket or can per plant, poured on slowly so that it soaks in, more if it's very hot) is better than a light sprinkle or drip irrigation every day. You don't need to keep the surface of the soil moist, you want the roots to go down deep, not come up to the surface looking for water. An organic mulch along the base of the hedge (not touching the bark though) applied before dry weather sets in will help to retain moisture.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Don't water it daily - water really thoroughly and deeply, every few days, if you don't have proper, consistent rain - and I mean proper rain, not light stuff that lasts half an hour.  :)
    Shallow watering prevents roots getting down properly, and means plants are vulnerable to drying out in warmer, drier weather. A single specimen of the size you have would need at least a bucketful if you're in a drier area, but they really should be well enough established if they've been in that length of time. The other trees will just mean they'll take longer to get bigger but that can be a better solution than when you have a hedge in a much wetter location, where they can put on 2 or 3 feet a year.  :)

    If you regularly add organic matter to the border they're in, they shouldn't need extra food, but I'd agree with @JennyJ - a sprinkle of BF&Bone would be the best addition. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ukgraders78855ukgraders78855 Posts: 3
    That’s all brilliant advice thank you so much for all the advice and pointers.
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