shrubs
Greenhouse glass
Posts: 20
Their are always of course instructions on mixing up feeding liquid solutions but can anyone please tell me or give me a yardsick as to how much to feed shrubs ie a gallon for a large shrub?,-, a half gallon for a small shrub?, Is it best to feed when the ground is dry or wet? and in Spring/summer (ie now?) As a general rule once a week or once a fortnight - can you overfeed? Sorry for asking these simple questions? perhaps they are of no consequence but I would pleased to have your advice
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I don't feed shrubs in general as I reckon they ought to be good enough at getting everything they need from the soil around them. They get some chicken manure chucked in their general direction in Spring. However, if going down the route of liquid feeding (and this is just for shrubs in tubs), they get fed once a week when I remember. As to the amount, just give them as much liquid as you would when watering them normally.
I feed FBB for shrubs a handful sprinkled round the base of the plant AFTER flowering, I never use liquid feed for shrubs. If you get the regime right and do it regularly they don't seem to need anything more than a mulch once they're established.
Have a look in the garden centre at shrub foods. Read the labels - then make your mind up. They all give quantities and frequency. More important is the quality of your soil...keep it well 'fed' with compost, leaf mould, etc. If you are on very poor soil and can't make compost/leaf mould, go back to looking at labels.
High potassium feeds promote flowering so are good for a great many plants. I've never used chempak, I prefer using homemade compost, leaf mould well rotted horse manure, FBB and liquid seaweed. If you haven't got the previously mentioned then by all means use what you have. There are no hard and fast rules on what to feed plants and shrubs, however soil health is vital, and natural additions increase soil health and the natural organisms which are essential in promoting healthy growth. Many have moved away from chemicals, but it's entirely up to you. As a professional gardener, I prefer to see healthy soil which will support more life and give healthier plants and shrubs. I go to many gardens where chemicals have been the mainstay and the soil is knackered. First thing I recommend is well rotted manure and people are amazed at the results after a few months when shrubs and perennials flower better than they ever have.
You say 'nothing at all', everything requires feeding, nothing can survive without water and food whatever form it may take, but to simply feed without a support mechanism, i.e. soil health, you'll be stoking up trouble for the future, sacrificing a few years of good blooms for longevity of the garden as a whole. It' up to you, it's your garden and your shrubs.