Knowing when to fertilize skip laurels is one of the most important things you can do to keep these popular shrubs healthy and vibrant. Skip laurels should be fed in early spring as new growth emerges to support their dense, evergreen foliage. Getting the timing right ensures your plants get the nutrients they need exactly when they can use them best, promoting strong roots and lush, green leaves year-round.
This guide will walk you through the entire process. We’ll cover the best times of year, the right type of fertilizer to use, and how to apply it correctly. You’ll also learn how to spot signs that your skip laurel needs a little extra help.
By the end, you’ll feel confident in your ability to care for these robust evergreens. Let’s get started with the fundamental schedule that will set your skip laurels up for success.
When To Fertilize Skip Laurels
The primary feeding for skip laurels happens in the spring. This aligns with their natural growth cycle. As the soil warms up and days get longer, the shrub exits winter dormancy and begins a period of rapid growth.
Applying fertilizer at this critical window provides the necessary fuel. It supports the development of new stems and leaves, which is especially important for establishing young plants or maintaining the dense privacy screen these laurels are known for.
Early spring is ideal, typically around late March to early April, depending on your local climate. You want to apply the fertilizer just as you notice the first hints of new, light green growth at the tips of the branches. Avoid fertilizing too early while the ground is still frozen, as the nutrients won’t be accessible to the roots.
The Secondary Fall Feeding Window
While spring is the main event, a lighter, secondary feeding can be beneficial in the early fall. The goal of fall fertilization is different. Instead of pushing new leafy growth, it aims to strengthen the root system.
Applying a gentle, balanced fertilizer in early September helps the roots store energy before winter. This leads to a healthier, more resilient plant that can better withstand cold stress and will be ready to burst forth in the spring. It’s crucial that this fall feeding is done early enough so that any new, tender growth stimulated by the fertilizer has time to harden off before the first frost arrives.
Signs Your Skip Laurel Needs Fertilizer
Sometimes, your skip laurel will show you it needs help outside the regular schedule. Keep an eye out for these visual cues:
- Pale Green or Yellowing Leaves: This condition, known as chlorosis, often indicates a nitrogen deficiency, especially if the older leaves are affected first.
- Stunted or Slow Growth: If your laurel seems to have stopped putting on its typical annual growth, it may be lacking essential nutrients.
- Smaller Than Usual Leaves: New leaves that are significantly smaller than the mature foliage on the plant can be a sign of hunger.
- Poor Overall Vigor: A general look of weakness or sparse foliage, particularly when compared to other skip laurels in similar conditions, suggests the plant is struggling to find nutrients.
Choosing The Right Fertilizer For Skip Laurels
Selecting the correct fertilizer is just as important as timing. Using the wrong type can do more harm than good, potentially burning roots or encouraging weak growth.
For skip laurels, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer is typically the best choice. Look for a product labeled for trees and shrubs or evergreens with a balanced NPK ratio, such as 10-10-10 or 14-14-14. The NPK stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).
- Nitrogen (N): Promotes healthy green leaf and stem growth, which is vital for evergreen plants.
- Phosphorus (P): Supports strong root development and overall plant energy processes.
- Potassium (K): Aids in disease resistance, drought tolerance, and general plant hardiness.
Slow-release formulas are prefered because they feed the plant gradually over several months. This provides a steady supply of nutrients and eliminates the risk of fertilizer burn that can come with quick-release synthetic options. Organic choices like well-composted manure, bone meal, or a balanced organic shrub food are also excellent, soil-enriching alternatives.
Fertilizers to Avoid
Not every garden fertilizer is suitable for skip laurels. Be cautious with:
- Weed and Feed Products: These contain herbicides designed to kill broadleaf weeds and can severely damage or kill your broadleaf skip laurel.
- High-Nitrogen Lawn Fertilizers: These can force excessive, soft growth that is susceptible to winter damage and pests.
- Fresh Manure: It is too “hot” and can burn roots; it must be fully composted first.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fertilizing Skip Laurels
Now that you know when and what to use, let’s walk through the actual application process. Following these steps ensures your skip laurels get the full benefit of the nutrients you provide.
Step 1: Prepare The Area
Start by clearing any mulch, leaves, or debris from the ground around the base of the shrub. You need clear access to the soil in the root zone. The root zone extends from the trunk out to just beyond the drip line, which is the area directly under the outermost reaches of the branches.
If the soil is very dry, consider watering it lightly a day before you plan to fertilize. Moist soil helps with nutrient uptake and prevents potential root shock.
Step 2: Measure The Correct Amount
More fertilizer is not better. Always follow the application rates on the product label carefully. Over-fertilizing is a common mistake that can lead to salt buildup in the soil, root burn, and polluted runoff.
As a general rule, you will use about 1 pound of a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet of root zone area. For a young, single shrub, this might translate to just a few cups. When in doubt, err on the side of using less. You can always apply a light supplemental feeding later if needed, but you cannot easily remove excess fertilizer.
Step 3: Apply The Fertilizer Evenly
For granular fertilizers, use a handheld spreader or simply scatter it by hand while wearing gloves. Spread the granules evenly over the entire root zone area, starting a few inches from the main trunk and extending out past the drip line.
Avoid piling fertilizer directly against the trunk, as this can cause rot and damage the bark. The goal is an even, broadcast application so the widespread feeder roots can all access the nutrients.
Step 4: Water Thoroughly
This step is non-negotiable. Immediately after applying the fertilizer, water the area deeply. This serves two critical purposes: it activates the granules (especially important for slow-release types) and it moves the nutrients down into the soil where the roots can absorb them.
Water until the soil is moist to a depth of about 6 to 8 inches. A thorough watering also prevents the fertilizer salts from drawing moisture out of the roots, which is what causes “burn.”
Step 5: Replace Mulch
Once the water has soaked in, you can replace any mulch you moved aside. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, like wood chips or bark, helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk itself to prevent moisture-related diseases.
Special Considerations For Newly Planted Skip Laurels
Newly planted skip laurels have a different initial need. When you first plant them, it’s best to mix some compost into the backfill soil. This provides gentle, organic nutrition without overwhelming the sensitive, establishing roots.
Wait until the shrub has gone through one full growing season in its new location before applying a standard fertilizer. The first spring after planting is the time to start your annual fertilization routine. This allows the plant to focus its energy on root establishment before handling a full nutrient load.
Seasonal Care and Maintenance Tips
Fertilizing is just one part of keeping your skip laurels healthy. Integrating it with proper seasonal care makes all the difference.
Spring Care Routine
Spring is the busiest season for skip laurel care. After you’ve applied your fertilizer, follow up with these tasks:
- Pruning: Early spring, after the threat of hard frost but before major new growth, is the best time for any significant shaping or size reduction.
- Mulching: Refresh the mulch layer to conserve moisture for the growing season ahead.
- Pest Inspection: As new leaves emerge, check for common pests like aphids or scale insects.
Summer Monitoring
Summer is about maintenance and observation. Your spring fertilizer will still be working. Focus on:
- Consistent Watering: Skip laurels need about an inch of water per week, especially during hot, dry spells. Deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent shallow sprinkles.
- Light Pruning: You can do light trimming to maintain shape through early summer, but avoid heavy pruning in late summer.
Watch for signs of stress like wilting or leaf scorch, which are often related to water issues rather than hunger.
Fall Preparation
As growth slows, your tasks shift to preparation. If you choose to do a light fall feeding, do it in early fall. Other key fall tasks include:
- Deep Watering: Before the ground freezes, give your laurels a deep watering to ensure they enter winter with hydrated roots.
- Mulching Again: Adding a fresh layer of mulch after the ground cools helps insulate the roots from freezing temperatures.
- Cleaning Up Debris: Remove fallen leaves from around the base to discourage fungal diseases over winter.
Winter Protection
Skip laurels are generally hardy, but young plants or those in exposed locations can benefit from protection. Shield them from harsh, drying winds with burlap screens if necessary. Avoid using plastic, which can trap heat and cause damage.
Remember, you should not fertilize in winter. The plant is dormant and cannot use the nutrients, which will then leach away or potentially harm the soil ecosystem.
Troubleshooting Common Fertilizer Problems
Even with the best intentions, problems can arise. Here’s how to identify and fix common fertilizer-related issues.
Over-Fertilization Symptoms And Solutions
Too much fertilizer is a serious problem. Symptoms include:
- Brown, scorched-looking leaf margins and tips.
- Wilting of foliage despite wet soil.
- A white, crusty buildup of salts on the soil surface.
- Sudden leaf drop.
If you suspect over-fertilization, the first step is to stop all feeding. Then, leach the soil by applying several inches of water over the root zone to help flush excess salts away from the roots. You may need to repeat this every few days. For potted skip laurels, you might need to repot them in fresh soil.
Under-Fertilization Symptoms And Solutions
As mentioned earlier, signs include pale leaves and poor growth. The solution is straightforward: apply a balanced fertilizer at the next appropriate time (spring or early fall), following the correct dosage. For a quick green-up from a nitrogen deficiency, you can use a liquid fertilizer as a temporary foliar feed, but address the underlying soil nutrition with a proper granular application.
Soil PH And Nutrient Availability
Skip laurels prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil pH is too high (alkaline), the plant cannot absorb certain nutrients like iron, even if they are present in the fertilizer. This leads to iron chlorosis, where leaves turn yellow but the veins remain green.
If a soil test reveals a pH problem, you may need to amend the soil with sulfur to lower the pH or choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for acid-loving plants to correct the issue over time.
FAQ About Fertilizing Skip Laurels
Can I Fertilize Skip Laurels In The Summer?
It is generally not recommended to fertilize skip laurels in the heat of summer. Fertilizing in late summer can stimulate new growth that won’t harden off before winter, making it vulnerable to frost damage. The only exception might be if a plant is showing clear signs of deficiency and you use a very mild, liquid solution. Otherwise, stick to spring and early fall.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Skip Laurels In Containers?
Potted skip laurels have more limited soil resources. Use a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for containers, or a water-soluble fertilizer applied more frequently at half-strength throughout the growing season. Ensure your container has excellent drainage to prevent salt buildup from fertilizers.
How Often Should You Feed Skip Laurel Hedges?
A well-established skip laurel hedge follows the same schedule as individual shrubs: one main feeding in early spring and an optional light feeding in early fall. Because hedges are often planted closely and compete for nutrients, be diligent about observing their color and growth rate for signs they need adjustment.
Is Miracle-Gro Good For Skip Laurels?
A product like Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed for Trees and Shrubs, which is a slow-release fertilizer, can be used according to label instructions. Avoid using high-nitrogen, quick-release lawn fertilizers from any brand, as they are not formulated for the needs of broadleaf evergreens.
Should You Fertilize A Skip Laurel After Pruning?
Yes, this is a good practice. Fertilizing after a spring pruning session provides the plant with the nutrients it needs to produce healthy new growth and recover from the trimming. Just make sure to water it in well after application.
Mastering when to fertilize skip laurels is a simple yet powerful part of your garden care. By providing nutrients in early spring as growth begins, and possibly again in early fall for root strength, you give these reliable evergreens exactly what they need to thrive. Combine this timely feeding with proper watering, mulching, and pruning, and your skip laurels will reward you with years of dense, beautiful foliage and robust health. Remember to always observe your plants, as they will often tell you if your care routine needs a slight adjustment.