Customers often ask us what is the best fertiliser for Laurel hedging plants. The most suitable feed depends on which stage the hedge is at.
When you are planting a new Laurel hedge we always recommend using bone meal, this is a natural organic fertiliser that should be well mixed with the soil. One kilo of bone meal will be sufficient for a 15 metres of hedge planting. (We also recommend using Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi at the time of planting to give the hedge a head start. These naturally occurring native fungi form a symbiotic relationship with your new hedging plants almost immediately allowing them to develop the large secondary root system necessary for successful growth and establishment without delay).
Once your Laurel hedge is established we would recommend an annual feed early in the spring with a balanced fertiliser such as ‘Growmore’, this is very beneficial to a Laurel hedge if applied at the same time as a mulch (a layer moisture retaining material like bark chippings, lawn mowings or garden compost).
Older Laurel hedges can sometimes run out of steam a little, perhaps making very little annual growth and looking rather pale. Assuming there is no obvious underlying cause for this (like a new concrete driveway or extension encroaching on the root run) then we recommend a specialist fertiliser to encourage root and top growth together with magnesium to improve leaf colour. Both Seaweed Bio-stimulant and After-plant Evergreen feeds are perfect. If the root run is very dry, then it’s a good idea to gently incorporating the fertiliser into the top few centimetres of the surrounding soil with a garden fork and then watering very well after application. Mulching at the same time can also help to retain moisture. This should freshen up your tired looking Laurel hedge within a few weeks, especially if undertaken in late spring just before the new season growth begins. Read our guide for expert tips on How To Make Your Laurel Grow Faster