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Not certain when or how to fertilize your hydrangeas ? While the fertilization process is square , there is some basic information that ’s important to know . In this article , gardening expert and hydrangea enthusiast Jill Drago walks through the right times of yr to feed your hydrangeas , and how to do it by watch a few dim-witted steps !

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Purple Blooming Fertilized Hydrangeas in Garden With Green Foliage

hydrangea are a garden favorite . Their large flowers can be the showstopper in the garden or a gorgeous accent plant life lining mete and pathways . They grow in most locating and almost every part of the United States . There aremany dissimilar types of hydrangeas , most of which are large-minded of almost all conditions .

Hydrangeasare relatively humbled sustainment , but even the blue care plants need a little hike every now and then . Fertilizing is an gentle garden task , and sometimes it is not even necessary . But how do you feed them , and when should you fecundate them for the good resultant role ?

Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know aboutfertilizing your hydrangeas . You ’ll find out about different fertilizer types , as well as the unspoilt clock time of year to commence fertilizing . We ’ve also put together a whole step - by - step guide of how it ’s done .

Fertilized Hydrangeas with Blooming Purple Flowers. The flowers are a light lavender color, with yellow at the centers where some of them are still less mature and have not fully bloomed. Green foliage is at the base of the bloom.

Should You Fertilize?

Plants do n’t always get the nutrient theyneed to pull round , and thrive . In many areas of the cosmos , the stain can be lack in vital nutrient that plant life call for to thrive and rosiness . Fertilizer help oneself supplement pretermit nutrients in the ground , which can help your hydrangeasbuild a stronger plant foundationand boost bloom product .

Not every gardener should inseminate , and not every nurseryman needs to fertilise . But unremarkably , most soils do not have the arrant nutrient profile .

When you fertilize your hydrangea , you ’ll see several benefits . Your plants willbloom for longer periods , have bigger blooms , and have bloom colors that are incredibly pictorial , making your plant the envy of your visitor .

Hydrangeas blooming in blue and purple in the garden. Some of the flowers are yellow on the flower clusters, which are young and not yet mature. There are hundreds of small flower blooms on each cluster.

When to Fertilize

When you are fertilizing , you do need to keep the time of yr in mind . You will be good as long as youdon’t apply any plant food after August .

The reason for this is that once yourhydrangea has stopped blooming , the fertilizer will induce your flora to produce a circle of new growth . This young growth may not have time to harden off before the temperature cast off . This can cause wintertime harm to your plants .

How to Fertilize

Fertilizing is fairly straightforward . You ’ll follow five dim-witted steps , along with a bonus step if you are fertilizing to change your hydrangea ’s color . Let ’s take a looking at how it ’s done , step - by - step .

Step 1: Test Your Soil

While this is not a require step when it comes to fertilizing hydrangeas , itisrecommended . Soil test can cater you with a lot of information about what is survive on in your soil . This data can aid you make a more efficient plant care design .

There are a variety of ways to have your soil tested . you could purchase a tryout correctly online or at a garden center . Or you’re able to go through a research laboratory or a local extension authority . You will learn about your soil pH , as well as the levels of nutrients in your stain .

You may have more than enough nutrient in your soil and can hop-skip fertilize altogether . Or you could be really lack something crucial and can supplement as needed .

An closeup image of a soil pH meter. There is dark, rich soil on the ground with the soil meter. You can see the meter measuring the soil pH, showing a rating of 7.

Step 2: Choose Your Fertilizer

There is a fertilizer for every want these days . You shouldchoose the fertilizer that is right foryour soil chemical science and the motive of your plant . You ’ll ask to resolve between constituent or non - constitutional and agile versus dim - release . Let ’s take a flavor at the unlike options .

Inorganic fertiliser are made up of synthetic constituent . Hydrangeas benefit from a 10 - 10 - 10 NPK fertilizer . If you are look to hike your blooms , you will want a higher phosphorus fertiliser , something like a 10 - 20 - 10 NPK would be great .

Often , inorganic plant food is slow - release which many gardeners see as a benefit because you do not need to reapply throughout the time of year .

A gardener holding two handfuls of fertilizer. The gardener is wearing a green sweatshirt and the image focus is on the gardener’s hands holding granules of fertilizer. The fertilizer has many different colored granules.

constitutive fertilizers also have amazing benefit . They are good for the environment andkeep your plant healthy and strong . Keep in mind that because there are no synthetical constituent to these fertilizer . This means the final result may not be quite as “ heavy ” as inorganic result .

When you are choosing afertilizer for hydrangeas , appear for something label for acid - bed flora . If you would like to boost your bloom , try fish bone meal merchandise , which is high in phosphorus .

Slow - spillage plant food are of the inorganic mixture . They are small granules that are coated toprevent the fertilizer from releasing all at once . When utilise , it is of import to scratch the soil airfoil beforehand . Soil middleman helps the fertilizer release .

A gardener is wearing yellow rubber gardening gloves pouring liquid fertilizer into a small cup. They are holding a yellow plastic container pouring it into a small plastic cup. On the ground is a blue container near green garden shrubs.

Quick - discharge fertiliser come up in all varieties : liquid and granular . Liquid fertilizers are usually in a foliar provender .

They could also be organic or inorganic . Whichever fertilizer you choose , these ready - release choice will provide your works with instant nutrition . These types of fertiliser are great if your hydrangea needs a immediate pick me up or if you do n’t bear in mind making multiple coating per season .

Step 3: Water Your Plants

Before you apply your plant food , no matter what time of the year , it is a adept idea to check that your works is n’t dry . If the roots are dried out , fertilizer can burn the plant . You will see fertilizer sunburn as dry brown spots on the leaves .

Hydrangeas call for aboutone inch of water a weekfrom rain or irrigation . Keep on top of your watering before you fertilise for the honest results .

Step 4: Apply Your Fertilizer

The program of fertilizer will differ greatly calculate on what product you have prefer for your garden .

You may need to abstract your fertilizer up to your hosiery , or you may need to practice a measure scoop shovel or spoon to employ granular fertiliser . bust garden gloves is always recommended .

Step 5: Add Compost

Adding compost is an amazing way to advance everything in your garden . It provides substantive nutrient in a safe way andimproves the construction of your soil .

Adding compost yearly to all of your gardens is great . Some years I will supply compost to the entire surface of my gardens . Other geezerhood , I will just sum up it around each case-by-case plant . Either way , I have great results with the growth of my plants .

I can also in person testify to the melioration of dirt . Many gardens are very arenaceous . After about ten old age of adding compost , I can see bed of both sand and compost when I grasp hollow for new plant .

A gardener his holding a blue watering can pouring water on pink blooming hydrangea bushes. The gardener is wearing a blue shirt, and is standing in the middle of the garden pouring water on the plants.

Step 6: Fertilizing to Change Color (Optional)

Beyond better plant health , you could also fertilizebigleaf hydrangeasandmountain hydrangeastochange their bloom color . These type of hydrangea may blossom in shades of white , pink , majestic , carmine , or blue .

Their flower colors aredependent on the pH of your soil . low pH will make more acidity . filth that have a pH of 5.5 or lower will substantiate blue peak , where dirt that have a pH of 6.5 or higher will suffer pink flowers .

This is an representative where a land test is especially helpful . You could also utilize apH bore , which take care like a thermometer that you just amaze into your grunge and get a read on your pH.

Hand of a gardener in gloves holding granulated fertilizers. The gardener is holding a green trowel that has fertilizer on it over the soil next to green garden shrubs.

It ’s easier to tot more than it is to take away . If your plant is dry , water before apply this solution . This method should only be used double a year , once in April and once in May .

When it comes to brightening the pink bloom on your hydrangea , garden limewill be your best peter . use a powder form of lime to the substructure of the plant life in April and again in October .

Final Thoughts

However you resolve tofertilize your hydrangeasis your pick . By succeed the above tips , you will have set yourself up for success . ensure you ’ve break up the right type of fertiliser , and plan on fertilizing at the clock time during grow time of year . Their blossoms will be bigger , leaves greener , and the works will be healthier overall !

A gardener’s hand is holding compost next to the garden bed. In the compost is rich brown organic matter with worms crawling around in the composting mixture.

Shrubs are blooming with pink and blue flowers. The blue flowers are turning pink based on the soil pH. There are several blooms, some of which are half pink and half blue.