Fertilize and care for thuja hedge

Claims of the thuja hedge

the Thuja, also called the tree of life, is one of the evergreens Conifers. The rapidly growing variety Thuja occidentalis 'Brabant' is widespread in Germany. Hedges are demanding in terms of nutrients and will only thrive if you fertilize them right from the start.

Loosen the soil deeply with a digging fork. Enrich a sandy soil with compost or potting soil. Thuja need a high proportion of humus, which enables the soil to store water.

If the soil has a high proportion of humus and you are planting container plants, you do not need to use a slow release fertilizer when planting. If the proportion of humus is low or in the case of bare-root thuja, add horn shavings. These enrich the soil with nitrogen.

The plants also need magnesium, calcium and iron. Put bedrock flour on the ground to add these minerals.

The most important thing for thuja is a high proportion of humus, which you can achieve with compost or foliage soil. You can add the additionally required nutrients with a special conifer fertilizer instead of the natural agents mentioned.

Fertilize thuja regularly

In the first year you do not need to fertilize the hedge, unless the plants show a lack of nutrients by means of pale green. In early spring add a special liquid conifer fertilizer to the irrigation water. The ingredients of this fertilizer are immediately available to the plants and ensure vigorous budding.

Sprinkle blue grain for nitrogen supply and Epsom salt to increase the magnesium content on the ground - near the hedge. Put some additional compost on top and rake everything under. Water abundantly so that the fertilizer dissolves in the soil.

Instead of the products mentioned, long-term coniferous fertilizers are also suitable. Work this in as described.

If you missed the appointment in spring, you can make up for it by July. From August onwards, fertilizing is not advisable. It leads to young shoots in the late year. These do not mature before winter and freeze to death.

Care of the hedge plant

Care instructions Thuja
measure	Hints
Location	bright, sunny
Plant spacing	2 m, as a hedge 30 cm
Substrate	rich in humus, wet, tolerates waterlogging
to water	regularly, must not dry out
Fertilize	in spring with conifer fertilizer or compost, Blue grain and Epsom salt
cut	Spring, before budding
Overwinter	no winter protection necessary
Multiply	Seeds, Cuttings
Diseases	seldom caused by drought
Pests	Aphids, fight with ladybirds

A thuja hedge is suitable for moist to swampy locations where it is easy to care for. It only needs fertilizer in the spring.