Did you know that acid-loving plants like blueberries and rhododendrons may not thrive if treated with usual fertilizers?
Indeed, that’s why it’s essential to use a feed that nurtures the acid-loving quality of your plants. And, when done correctly, they will thrive even when fertilized only twice a year.
On that note, Holly-tone is one of the best fertilizers for acid-loving plants. Hence, I thought of creating this guide to answer the common query of “how to use holly tone fertilizer?”.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
The Holly-tone fertilizer is an organic and neutral feed that can be used for all acid-loving plants, including big evergreen trees. Some common plants that love Holly-tone are:
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Aster
- Azalea
- Rhododendron
- Dogwood
- Ferns
- Fir
- Pine
- Spruce
- Hemlock
- Lily-of-the-valley
- Hydrangea
- Juniper
- Gardenia
As these are acid-loving plants, you don’t need to fertilize them frequently. Instead, feed the plants once during early spring and then again in late fall. However, remember to cut down the amount of fertilizer by half when applying it during late fall as your plants need to prepare for winter.
Now, let’s check out how you can use the Holly-tone fertilizer in your garden.
1. Trees
As you can guess, trees require more fertilizer than shrubs or potted plants. So, the first step to figuring out the amount of fertilizer needed by a tree is to measure the diameter of its trunk.
Here, you should use one pound of Holly-tone fertilizer for each inch. Also, you have to dig or drill holes evenly around the drip line, which is where the canopy of the tree ends. Then, fill the holes with fertilizer, cover them with soil, and water the area.
2. Shrubs
Shrubs are easier to fertilize, and all you need to do is figure out the branch diameter or branch spread of a plant. Then, you have to take around one cup of Holly-tone per foot of branch spread. Proceed to spread the feed evenly around the drip line of the shrub and water it in.
3. Beds
In the case of established garden beds, you need to use around five pounds of Holly-tone for a hundred square feet. However, most people will have much smaller beds. So, check the measurements of the ones you have in your garden to apply the right amount of fertilizer. Once you figure that out, spread it evenly around the plants and let water seep into the soil.
Alternatively, if you’re preparing a fresh garden bed, use ten pounds of Holly-tone for a hundred square feet.
4. Containers
For acid-loving plants that you may have in containers, use one teaspoon for every three inches of the pot diameter. Sprinkle the Holly-tone evenly around the edge of the plant and drench it in water.