Feed Shrubs at the Right Time
Here’s why and when you should feed shrubs in your garden, plus why you might skip this task.
"Feed shrubs" may be on your list of annual garden tasks, but does it need to be? The majority of shrubs will survive and even thrive in the garden without supplemental feeding—if you've chosen types with needs that match the general conditions of your growing location: soil type, moisture, light levels and so on.
That said, it can be necessary and beneficial to feed shrubs in these three circumstances:
Shrubs have been subject to extreme rainfall, or to intensive watering in times of drought. Heavy watering can stimulate rapid and excessive growth, which the shrub may not be able to support without supplemental feeding. This is especially true if heavy rain or irrigation has washed soil nutrients away or disturbed the soil structure.
Shrubs are growing on naturally poor, rocky or sandy soil and they don't grow on such soils in their native environment. Additionally, quick-draining soil is a boon to many shrubs, but it can also be low in nutrients, as these get washed through. Shrubs growing in containers may need supplemental feeding for the same reason; see "Advice on Growing Shrubs in Containers" for more info and related tips.
Shrubs are growing closely together, such as in a hedge, and therefore they remain in constant competition for soil nutrients.
Related: Attend to soil health to avoid the need to feed shrubs and other plants. Learn more in "Spread Compost This Fall for a Better Garden."
What season to feed shrubs
The ideal time of year to feed shrubs is just before they begin growing in early spring or after they have gone dormant in later fall—never early fall.
Heavy feeders, like roses, can benefit from both a spring fertilizing and a follow-up feeding in summer. Flowering shrubs that are regularly pruned can be fed just after that task is completed, but again, not in early fall (follow article link above to learn why).
Related: If you're considering feeding perennials in addition to shrubs, be sure to read "Perennials Not to Feed" first.
