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Prune, Feed & Mulch Laurels?

resres Posts: 58
Please can anyone advise best month to prune, feed (seaweed liquid) & mulch (bark) Laurels?

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  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 21,769
    I never feed and mulch my Laurels and they grow like mad. I cut bits off when I think it needs doing, but it seems to need doing more than I do it as they are now too big!
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,260
    They generally don't need much in the way of food, unless your soil is very poor. If that's the case, it's better to add manure/compost each year to improve that, rather than constantly having to feed them.
    Pruning can be done at almost any time of year. The only time to avoid is when there's frost and cold weather imminent, so it's probably best to leave them for a couple of months anyway.
    Mulching can also be done at any time, but it's best to do it after there's been sufficent rain, so that the mulch retains that moisture. Spring is ideal, but you can add it throughout the year and that will gradually break down and feed the soil too  :)
    I'm the same as B. Lizzie - they don't get much attention here, other than pruning to keep them in order.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • We have a few laurels, most as hedging, never feed them and clip/prune the hedge late summer after nests are finished with.
  • LynLyn Posts: 22,012
    I never feed and mulch my Laurels and they grow like mad. I cut bits off when I think it needs doing, but it seems to need doing more than I do it as they are now too big!
    Exactly the same here Lizzie. I’ve got them growing in dry stone walls, they don’t need feeding. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 3,875
    As an active member of the anti-laurel brigade I would advise uprooting those laurels. ;)
    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
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