Hey there! If ya wanna grow them Green Giant Arborvitaes nice and tall, let me tell ya, it ain’t too hard if ya know when and how to feed ‘em right. Now, these big, leafy giants, they can grow real fast, especially if ya give ‘em the good stuff in the dirt. So let’s chat a bit about how to get ‘em nice and healthy with some fertilizer, yeah?
When to Fertilize Green Giant Arborvitae
First things first, when’s the best time? Now, let me tell ya, springtime’s the season ya want! Right when the weather starts warmin’ up a bit, but before them leaves and branches start shootin’ out real strong. That’s usually early spring. Feedin’ ‘em just that one time in spring can give ‘em all the good nutrients they need for the whole season. That’s what I’ve heard from folks who know these things real well.

So, early spring it is! If ya see them tiny new green stems pokin’ out, that’s a sign it’s about time to get that fertilizer down. And if you’re growin’ these trees close together, maybe as a hedge or for some privacy from the neighbors, you might wanna give the tops a trim in early spring too. Helps ‘em grow out wide, not just tall, so ya get a nice, thick wall of green.
What Kind of Fertilizer to Use
Now, ya might wonder, what kind of stuff do these trees like best? Let me tell ya, organic’s the way to go, somethin’ like granular fertilizer. There’s a brand called Espoma’s Plant-tone that people talk about a lot. Sprinkle that around the tree, but not right up on the trunk, ya know? About a foot away from the base should do it. Then give it a good waterin’. That way, the fertilizer soaks in and feeds the soil, which then feeds the tree.
Now don’t go pourin’ any of that fancy synthetic stuff. These trees like things natural, like how things work in the forest. Granular stuff stays in the soil longer and breaks down slow, so your tree’s gettin’ nutrients bit by bit all season long.
How to Apply Fertilizer for Green Giant Arborvitae
- Step 1: Wait for early spring, like I said, when the ground’s thawed out a bit but before the tree starts puttin’ out new shoots.
- Step 2: Measure out your fertilizer, usually about a cup for younger trees, or more for bigger, older ones. Check the bag’s instructions too, in case it’s a different brand.
- Step 3: Spread the fertilizer in a circle around the tree. Keep it a foot or so away from the trunk so ya don’t burn the roots.
- Step 4: Water the ground real well so the fertilizer starts seeping in. Don’t just sprinkle; give it a good soak, so that stuff really gets in there.
See, it ain’t that tricky! If ya do it right, your Green Giant’s gonna be strong and healthy. It’ll keep growin’ up tall and wide, blockin’ the wind, givin’ ya shade, or just lookin’ pretty in the yard. And if it’s in good dirt with lots of natural stuff, ya might not even need to feed it every year. Some folks just let ‘em go, and they still turn out fine.
Other Tips for Healthy Green Giants
Alright, now ya got the fertilizin’ part down, but that ain’t all. Here’s a few more things to keep in mind:
- Waterin’: First year’s the most important! Keep it watered, especially if it ain’t rainin’ much. But don’t drown it; just a good soak once a week.
- Mulchin’: A little mulch around the base helps keep the moisture in and the weeds out. Don’t pile it up on the trunk, though! Just a light layer’s enough.
- Prunin’: If ya got a row of ‘em, prunin’ the tops in early spring keeps ‘em thick and bushy, which is what ya want for a hedge.
And there ya have it! Keep up with a little care, and those Green Giant Arborvitaes are gonna give ya years of beauty and maybe a bit of privacy too. Happy plantin’!
Tags:[Green Giant Arborvitae, Fertilizing Arborvitae, How to Fertilize Arborvitae, Spring Fertilizing for Trees, Organic Fertilizer for Arborvitae]