Well, listen here, if you’re thinking about when to fertilize your Arborvitae Green Giant, I got you covered! These trees are real good if you want a nice tall, green fence or just some privacy, but they do need some feeding now and then. You don’t want to just throw fertilizer at them anytime. Nope, they got their own little calendar they like to follow. So, let’s talk about when and how to give them a good feed.
First off, best time to fertilize them big Green Giant Arborvitae is early spring. Now, this ain’t just because spring’s a nice time of year – it’s when the tree’s starting to wake up and grow after winter. You see, during winter, the tree is all quiet and kind of “sleeping,” just holding on till warmer weather. Then come spring, it’s like, “Alright! Let’s get growing!” And that’s when you want to give it a little push with some good fertilizer.
What Kind of Fertilizer is Best?
Now, these trees, they like a high-nitrogen fertilizer, that’s something like 20-15-15 or even 10-5-5. I know, these numbers can be a bit fancy-sounding, but don’t worry too much! Just ask your local store for one of these mixes. What it does is it gives your Arborvitae the food it needs to make those green leaves nice and full. Green Giant loves that nitrogen!
How Much Fertilizer to Use
So you got your fertilizer, right? Now, let’s talk about how much. Don’t go dumping a whole bag on there! Nope. For Arborvitae, the rule is about one pound for every 100 square feet of root area. And you’re thinking, “How do I know where the roots are?” Simple – look at the size of the tree’s spread, maybe a bit more than where the branches reach. That’s where most of the roots are hiding.
How to Apply Fertilizer for Best Growth
Alright, now you got your fertilizer and know how much. What’s next? Go sprinkle it around that root area, but don’t let it touch the trunk too much. Spread it nice and even. Then give it a bit of water – doesn’t need to be soaking wet, just enough to let that fertilizer seep down into the soil where the roots can start gobbling it up.
Should You Fertilize in Summer?
Now, some folks wonder if summer’s okay for fertilizing Green Giant Arborvitae. And I tell you, if you really missed spring or just feel it needs a bit more, you can do a light feed mid-summer. But honestly, spring’s enough. One good feed at the start of the growing season should give these trees what they need to get through the year looking strong.
Trimming Tips for Green Giant Arborvitae
While we’re at it, let’s talk trimming. Best time for a trim is also early spring, before it starts going full throttle with growth. When you give it a little trim at the top, it’ll push out to the sides, getting nice and thick, which is just what you want if you’re growing them as a privacy screen.
Late Winter Pruning – If You Have To
If you missed the early spring trim, or just need to shape it up, late winter’s okay too, but be real careful. Late winter trimming gives the tree enough time to heal before spring kicks in. Just don’t go hacking away too much – a little goes a long way.
Wrapping Up
So that’s it, folks! Your Green Giant Arborvitae will stay happy and healthy with a good feeding in early spring, a light hand if you decide to trim, and a little extra watering to keep everything just right. Give it what it needs, and this tree will reward you with beautiful green growth all season long.
Tags: [Arborvitae Green Giant, fertilizing Arborvitae, spring fertilizing, Green Giant care, Arborvitae growth tips]