Another gorgeous fall day and so I decided to use the fertilizer spikes I recently purchased.
I got the idea when a friend bought fertilizer cubes from a landscape company. She used the cubes for her Japanese Maple tree.
In fact, there were, also, several fall chores I accomplished this afternoon along with using the fertilizer spikes.
Fertilizer Spikes for Trees and Shrubs
I’ve never used fertilizer spikes before, but thought it sounded interesting to try on several plants. I picked up the unopened package in a secondhand shop for $4. However, online I see this box sells for $20 to $30. The instructions said I could use the fertilizer spikes in the spring or in the fall. After deciding on the number of spikes to use for each tree or shrub, then all I did was hammer them in. Yes, a hammer is needed for this particular garden job. In the package, were two plastic caps you placed on top the fertilize spikes as you hammered them into the soil. If you didn’t use them, the hammer would break the spike off.
In fact, it said to wait until the soil was wet to make things easier. My soil was semi damp.
I like the fact, that the fertilizer goes deep into the soil. In this way, it doesn’t flow away from the plant during a rain storm.
My box of plant fertilizer contained 12 spikes. Unfortunately, that was not enough for all the trees and shrubs on my property.
Ending Notes
I never used the shrub and tree fertilization spikes before, so this is an experiment. I used the spikes on a Japanese Maple tree, a couple of azalea shrubs, a boxwood shrub, a dogwood tree and some one blueberry shrubs.
I actually found this job more labor intensive than I thought. I guess, a wet ground makes a big difference.
Please note, that I did not use the recommended full amount on the trees. Directions said to place a spike about every two feet or so from the drip zone. I didn’t do this.
In the spring, I’ll be curious to see if the plants treated with a fertilizer spike do better than the ones without.
Also, on today’s garden chores was to pick up fallen twigs and branches in the garden. I also watered some of plants in crocks as they were a bit dry.
All in a Gardener’s Day.
