Natural home gardeners exclude complete chemical fertilizers from the barberry care program. If deficiency symptoms occur, organic fertilizers are available. Read here how to organically fertilize your barberries in beds and containers.
How to fertilize barberries naturally?
To fertilize barberries ecologically, use 3 liters of compost and 100 grams of horn shavings per square meter or an organic long-term fertilizer for potted plants in the bed. An alternative is liquid nutrient supply with nettle manure or organic liquid fertilizer.
Starting fertilization prevents deficiency symptoms – this is how it works
A fully grown, well-rooted barberry has a natural vigor that does not require additional nutrients in normal garden soil. In the first 5 years of standing and in the pot, you can stimulate growth with starter fertilization in spring. The concentrated nitrogen load of mineral fertilizers is counterproductive. How to fertilize Berberis species in harmony with nature:
- In the bed: in March/April, work in 3 liters of compost and 100 grams of horn shavings per square meter superficially
- In the bucket: administer an organic long-term fertilizer (€12.00 on Amazon) as granules or sticks in April
- Important: water with clear water before and after fertilizing
Do you prefer liquid nutrition? Then sprinkle the bed soil with nettle manure every 4 weeks. From March to September, potted plants receive an organic liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks, which you add to the irrigation water.
Mulching prevents nutrient deficiency - this is how it works
Organic mulch on the root disc makes additional nutrient supply unnecessary. The following materials are ideal for this purpose because they keep the soil naturally moist and release nutrients to the barberry as they decompose:
- Semi-ripe compost from our own production or from specialist retailers
- The leaves of nettle, comfrey or tansy plants
- Bark mulch (no wood chips)
- Dried grass clippings
Bark mulch scores with the special advantage of natural weed suppression. The layer of mulch can often be found under barberry hedges and on the root disks of solitary shrubs. When using it, it should not be overlooked that bark mulch initially removes nutrients from the soil. Sprinkle the soil with horn shavings and compost before spreading the bark pieces.
Tip
If evergreen barberries suffer from leaf damage, it is usually not a nutrient deficiency. In full sun, blazing sunshine can damage the shiny green foliage. You can avoid the problem if you choose a sunny to partially shaded location.