Dogwood is a timelessly beautiful tree that’s a favorite of many homeowners. It thrives all year round, blooming in spring, and creating a feast of colors in the fall. In winter dogwoods are famous for their delicious berries.
Of course, you’ll need to take good care of your tree to get it looking its best; nothing comes without effort. Let’s look at when to fertilize dogwood trees?
When To Fertilize Dogwood Trees?
The best months of the year to fertilize your Dogwood trees are March and July. However, if you regularly fertilizer your lawn, then your healthy trees do not require more fertilizer.
In the spring fertilization will improve the health to your plant. While applying a second application late in the summer will prepare your tree for the hardships of winter.
What Type Of Fertilizer Should You Use On A Dogwood Tree?
Dogwood trees thrive ideally with the use of fertilizer in the ratio 12-4-8. “NPK” is the acronym that indicates the proportions of the 3 basic nutrients of a fertilizer.
More precisely, “N” indicates nitrogen, “P” indicates phosphorus, and “K” indicates potassium. These nutrients are determinants of a tree’s balance, and their proportions vary from plant to plant. Dogwoods in particular are in great need of nitrogen.
Let’s have a look at the effect of each of these 3 nutrients on the growth of a Dogwood tree.
Nitrogen (N): That is the basic element of photosynthesis, leaf production, and development. Especially for deciduous trees, such as Dogwood, nitrogen is vital during the growing season.
Phosphorus (P): That is a determining factor in the production of fruits and seeds, and the smooth growth of plant roots.
Potassium (K): This nutrient is extremely useful for plants, such as Dogwoods, Cornus florida and Cornus Aurora.
In addition to choosing a fertilizer with high nitrogen content, it is important to decide whether to use a granule or liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers seem to act more directly, and the tree will absorb the nutrients quickly.
How To Apply The Fertilizer?
First of all, it’s best not to fertilize trees less than one-year-old, as there is a great risk of burning the plant or its roots. You may choose to use organic fertilisers or home remedies to provide younger trees with nutritional support.
Try giving your tree organic tea, diluted by 50%. For 2 meter tall plants, you can apply 2 ounces of fertilizer in the first application of March.
Repeat the same application, in the same quantities, 4 months later. At this point, it is emphasized that after good fertilization follows a good watering.
For best application, plow the soil with a rake, to a radius of 9.5 square meters around the tree before adding fertiliser. Immediately, your plant will be strengthened and its root system will be nourished as well
How Often Should You Fertilize Dogwood Trees?: Conclusion
Dogwood is a tree that should ideally be fertilized as mentioned above, twice a year. The ideal month for the first application is March, followed by a repeated application in July.