Why do you need the best fertilizer for evergreen trees? The answer is not so complicated. If you look closely enough, most of the lush greenery that dots the Greater Tampa Bay region is mostly evergreens. Some of these trees are over 100 years old and have grown to become veritable landmarks in their own right.
But over time, the quality of the soil has changed to a great extent. To preserve these fantastic perennials and ensure they last longer, nothing less than the best fertilizer for evergreen trees will do!
In fact, three of the most populated cities in Florida State- Tampa, Jacksonville, & Miami- have pretty different soil compositions. A certain species of evergreen deciduous that grows well in Jacksonville might not be able to use Miami’s soil’s nutrients. To compensate for this loss of sustenance, the best fertilizer for evergreens will certainly be required on time.
Thankfully, residents of Florida are extremely fond of these natural wonders, and many of them often contact local agencies that provide affordable tree service.
But what is the best fertilizer for evergreen trees and shrubs? Is there even such a thing, or is it just another marketing gimmick?
Plus, when should these be used so that the trees benefit the most?
The following sections seek to settle these questions once and for all.
What constitutes the best fertilizer for evergreen trees?
Fertilizers for evergreen trees are not terribly different from the types used in flower nurseries and rooftop gardens. However, there are certain chemical differences that need special attention.
At any supermarket or store that caters exclusively to trees and seedlings, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer number of fertilizer brands that rule the racks. Almost all of the brands will declare that they are the best fertilizers for evergreen trees and shrubs!
The situation might get a bit tricky, but here are some pointers to select the right one.
- Selecting a branded fertilizer that contains all of the micronutrients in proper ratios (phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, potassium, and a few trace elements like rock dust) is the best thing to buy. These are bunched under a common name: “NPK”. Each of these letters indicates the chemical names of the nutrients used.
- Regardless of which area of Florida’s Gulf Coast you reside in, the chemical attributes of fertilizers remain the same. The recommended combination is 10% of nitrogen, 8% of phosphorus, and 15% of potassium. These are known in common parlance as NPK 10-8-15 or NPK 10/8/15.
- The best fertilizer for evergreen trees will be one that compensates for the pH levels of the soil. Remember that all evergreen trees grow best in slightly acidic soils that have a pH of 7.0 0r upwards. Sometimes, you might have only ‘basic’ soil around you, which means it is too alkaline for evergreens to thrive.
In such instances, you might want to seek out the professional advice & recommendation of fertilizer retailers (who are pretty knowledgeable about the chemical aspects of soils) or botanists in and around Tampa FL.
When is the best time to use fertilizers for maximum benefit?
Evergreen trees generally have a slow growth rate and longer lives. For best results, you must follow the following fundamentals to ensure that the best fertilizers for evergreen trees and shrubs deliver well.
- Perennials start growing faster as summer comes closer. Hence, it is recommended by experts to use the fertilizers as the spring sets in. This will ensure that the summer growth is not hampered, even if there is a dire shortage of micronutrients in the soil.
- Using fertilizer at the height of summer is a strict no-no! It promotes excessive growth of newer plants which may or may not be evergreens. As true evergreens start maturing, they require every ounce of nutrient that the best fertilizers for evergreen trees can provide.
At this critical juncture, if there are too many new saplings fighting for sustenance at the same time, most of the trees will perish since the winter months will have come closer.
That will be a waste of good fertilizer and a lot of greenery. Getting the timing correct is of great import.
One way out of this quandary is to contact panorama tree care. We understand the problems that plague the proper growth of evergreen trees and will be able to set you on the right course of action.
A few final words
If you are relocating an evergreen tree to a new area in or around Tampa FL, it is essential that you use the best fertilizer for evergreen trees in generous amounts. Relocating poses a major challenge to bigger trees; watering them often is also something that must be kept in mind. The latter is because the entire region has a humid subtropical climate. For best results, choose only reputed brands of fertilizers.
