Boxwoods are generally quite hardy. They don’t ask much of us as caretakers, and they grow large without requiring loads of assistance to do so.
However, they do need replanting when they grow too large and fertilization at the appropriate times.
Some gardeners have planted and loved their boxwoods painstakingly, while others have hired a landscaping company to put them in.
Whatever your method of acquiring boxwood in your yard, you’re probably asking yourself when to fertilize boxwoods to keep them thriving in any location.
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When to Fertilize Boxwoods?
Boxwoods love growing their root systems when the outside temperature is moderate, such as late fall or early spring. Fertilizing at this time will help your boxwoods to thrive as they expand and strengthen their root systems. Measure your boxwood with a tape measure to know how much fertilizer it requires. For each foot, use about one cup of high-quality fertilizer.
Knowing When to Fertilize Your Boxwood
Boxwoods are shrubs that will grow larger and stronger when they’re adequately fertilized. You can do so once or twice a year, depending on how healthy the appearance of your plant is and whether or not you think your boxwood requires fertilization.
You may not need to do it twice, but fertilizing at least once will help your boxwood flourish throughout the year. These attractive shrubs survive the winter, and they are pretty durable, so luckily, they don’t need too much attention from us!
Fertilizer will help your boxwood root system grow strong, making it easier to transplant if necessary, as well as allowing them to thrive.
It can be challenging to sift through all the information available over the internet about fertilizing boxwoods.
The Right Time of Year
Boxwood needs fertilization at the right time of year. This time specification has nothing to do with how well the fertilizer works but rather when your boxwood will be best able to put the fertilizer to use.
Boxwood roots grow tremendously during early spring, late fall, and in the winter. Therefore, fertilizing in late fall or early spring will encourage substantial growth, letting your boxwood reach its utmost potential for that season.
When it comes to fertilizing boxwood, it’s imperative to get the time of year right. The boxwood is a very forgiving shrub, so while fertilizing it at the wrong time of year won’t damage it, it won’t encourage it to grow either.
The Right Age and Size
As I just mentioned, boxwoods are forgiving. They are a great shrub to have around for gardeners of all levels because caring for them is straightforward.
They don’t ask for much other than a location with ample space to grow and correct fertilization methods.
Because of this, you can fertilize a boxwood at most any age without harming it, but you’ll want to correctly measure the amount of fertilizer that should go into the soil.
Remember, one cup of soil per foot of boxwood.
These measurements are accurate and will keep you from over or underfertilizing your boxwood. When in doubt, ask your local gardening professional.
Remember, though, that you won’t be needing to fertilize boxwood seeds or seedlings. Let them grow and fertilize when they have a well-established root system.
If you do feel your very young boxwood needs help, it’s best to ask an expert. Fertilization may not be the answer here, so reach out before you take any drastic measures.
Where to Fertilize Your Boxwood
It’s just as important to know where to fertilize your boxwood as it is to know when to fertilize your boxwood.
Because boxwoods have feeder roots located just underneath the surface of the soil and placing fertilizer directly on top of the roots can cause long-term or possibly irreversible damage to your plant.
Instead, place the right amount of fertilizer for your boxwood near the drip line of the plant. You’ll want to ensure choosing the right fertilizer as well. Avoid using anything too acidic.
Choosing a fertilizer can be overwhelming, but there is help available. Heading into your local garden center and asking an employee should be the first step in your fertilizer search.
You can ask the internet, but it’s easier to have help and the fertilizers right in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions about When to Fertilize Boxwoods
When should I fertilize my boxwood?
Take care to fertilize your boxwood when its root systems like to grow. The perfect time is late fall and early spring, allowing for moderate temperatures yet unfrozen ground.
Can I overfertilize my boxwood?
You can, and it could cause severe damage to the plant. Ensure that you use one cup of high-quality, organic fertilizer for every one foot of boxwood.
Can I opt not to fertilize my boxwood?
Of course, you can, but you might not see the growth you’d like to see. Boxwoods that are fertilized properly are green and flourishing, and in many cases, boxwoods actually need that fertilization to survive.
Every Boxwood is Unique
Gardeners should remember that every boxwood is unique. However, in the late fall or early spring, fertilizing them at least once every year will allow them to grow to their best potential.
Fertilizer is a relatively easy step that has a significant contribution to your beloved boxwoods’ longevity and health.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.