In our last blog, we talked about soil types affecting the availability and uptake of plant nutrients. Knowing when and how much to water and fertilize evergreen trees is important. Sandy soils , which drain quickly, may not have sufficient N, P and K due to leaching, as the water rapidly leaves a sand area. Over the years rains can remove a lot of nutrients from a porous area to the garden. Regular watering is needed to establish new trees and it moves materials/ nutrients away. If you see a cross section of the soil draining, the water you are applying moves rapidly out of the sand in a more pointed, dagger like profile. Whereas in a soil area with clay, the water applied drains slower, spreading and forming a pear type shape. These soils hold water longer, allowing the nutrients to drain slower and often more available for root uptake.
Clay particles are actually plates, stacked like shingles, when viewed by the electron microscope. Water between the plates takes longer to drain out. Too much compacted clay can also be detrimental. The water doesn’t drain readily and takes up too much air pore space, potentially causing root rot. Compacted soils are hard to get water into and may shed the rains. The #1 reason why soil amendments need to be done to planting areas prior to planting is poor drainage. We recommend to not plant anything in low lying areas where water can pool, this is the leading cause of root rot in all plants. We at Pryor’s Nursery install your evergreen living fence with Leafgro, an organic compost. Leafgro helps to resolve some of these soil issues. This helps to ensure you will have healthy evergreens for your living fence privacy screen installation by Pryor’s Nursery.
So when it is best to water and fertilize evergreen trees in the Mid-Atlantic area?
Evergreen tree watering and fertilization is not needed in the winter here in Maryland, DC and Virginia. Watering every summer ensures the evergreen trees do not dry out. Look to fertilize them once each spring, summer and fall to keep them healthy and growing after the first year. We do this at time of installation, so wait 2-3 months before you add more organic fertilizer of your choice.
Summer and Fall are still great times to get your eco-friendly living fence installed! Place your order today.
