Privet is one of the undemanding and robust shrubs that can cope well with almost all locations. This also applies to fertilizing. Which fertilizer is suitable and when is it best to fertilize the privet hedge?
How and when should you fertilize a privet hedge?
Privet hedges can be fertilized with mature compost, horn shavings, conifer fertilizer or blue grain/green grain. Long-term fertilizer is applied in spring before budding. Short-term fertilizer should be given at the end of April and beginning of August. A layer of mulch can further reduce the need for fertilizer.
Do you need to fertilize a privet hedge?
In a permeable, slightly humus-rich soil, privet grows very well even without fertilizer. Light fertilization can only make sense for younger hedges where the roots are not yet very developed.
Of course, the growth of the bushes can be stimulated through additional fertilization. But you shouldn't overdo it, because the privet hedge cannot tolerate over-fertilization.
The right fertilizer for privet hedges
- Mature compost
- Horn shavings
- Mulch cover
- Conifer fertilizer
- Blue grain or green grain
Even if privet is not a conifer, the shrub is well supplied with conifer fertilizer (€39.00 on Amazon). It is usually administered as a long-term fertilizer once a year.
When should the privet hedge be fertilized?
Add long-term fertilizer in the spring shortly before the privet sprouts.
With short-term fertilizer such as blue grain or green grain, you have to fertilize twice and exactly according to plan. Fertilization is only successful if the nutrients reach the roots in a timely manner. Therefore, give short-term fertilizer around 14 days before new growth, i.e. at the end of April and beginning of August.
Compost and horn shavings are spread in the spring and gently worked into the soil with a rake.
Mulch protects and fertilizes at the same time
You can avoid fertilizing entirely if you spread a mulch of lawn clippings, leaves, cuttings, straw and other garden waste under the privet hedge.
The mulching material decomposes and the nutrients are continuously released into the soil through rain or watering.
At the same time, the mulch protects the soil from drying out and keeps weeds away from under the hedge.
Prepare the soil before planting the privet hedge
If the soil is depleted, you should improve the nutrient supply of the substrate when planting. Mix the potting soil with mature compost and horn shavings. Then the bushes will be adequately supplied for the first few years.
Tip
If privet doesn't grow, it's usually not due to the food supply. Often the roots of the shrub were not adequately watered before planting. Shady locations are also not good for privet.
