Yew hedges are evergreen and long-lived when given enough nutrients. You can find out when, how and with what the best way to fertilize your yew with us.
Yew trees (Taxus) are popular as green, needle-bearing hedge plants all year round. But the leisurely growing trees in the garden are also great as solitary trees, especially because the yew is native to us. Thus, it is wonderfully adapted to our soil conditions. In a location with nutrient-rich, calcareous soil with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil pH, it gets along well with the nutrients that its roots extract from the soil. Fertilization is therefore usually not absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, it is gratefully accepted, especially in locations with poor, sandy soil. How necessary fertilization is for a yew tree depends primarily on the soil conditions. However, an appropriate amount of fertilization can only strengthen your yew.
But what is the best way to fertilize yew trees and is there a perfect time to fertilize a yew tree? To ensure that the deep-rooted hedges show their lush green needles all year round, a small but fine dose of fertilizer is essential from time to time.
When is the yew hedge fertilized?
If you want to give your hedge a small housewarming gift, mix mature compost and some rock flour into the soil when planting on a rather nutrient-poor soil. In this way, the hedge is supplied with nitrogen and important minerals in an organic way, which accelerate rooting. Alternatively, another long-term fertilizer such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer can be mixed in.
Tip from the professional: Since yew trees are sensitive to waterlogging, you should lay out a drainage layer of gravel or clay discs when planting. Spreading a layer of stinging nettles on top of this will further encourage growth.
Later, a single fertilization in spring, shortly before budding, is sufficient for the leisurely growing yew. Since only little fertilizer is used, you should place all the more value on the quality of the fertilizer used. So that the nutrients all year roundmore than sufficient, you should supply your hedge with a long-term fertilizer. Ideally, use an organic variant for this. This releases the nutrients more slowly than a mineral fertilizer. It is also more environmentally friendly in terms of production and mining.
Fertilizer for yew trees: How and with what to fertilize?
Special yew fertilizers are designed to meet the specific needs of plants that are subjected to regular pruning to keep them in shape. This is the case, for example, with yew hedges. The fertilizer is then dosed according to the manufacturer's instructions, but fertilization with other NPK fertilizers is also possible. It is best to use a biological, organic fertilizer for environmentally friendly fertilization of your yew trees. Small helpers such as earthworms and the like are supported in this way and ensure loose, nutrient-rich soil.
Fertilize yew hedges organically
With an NPK ratio (ratio of nitrogen to phosphate to potassium) of 6 - 3 - 4, our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is suitable for pretty much any green, including the frugal yew. The nutrients for your garden plants come almost predominantly from organic materials. In this way, the nutrients are gently and slowly released into the soil. This not only supports the growth of your yew, but also vital soil life. An additional plus is the high tolerance for other animals and small children. This does not make the yew any less poisonous, but at least the fertilizer does not pose any danger.
Organic long-term fertilization: instructions and dosage amounts for the yew
In the case of the yew, you should adapt your fertilizer enthusiasm to the growth rate of the native conifer species. Instead of mass, you should focus on class. For example, our Plantura organic universal fertilizer with its organic long-term fertilization ensures optimal supply. Here are a few short, clear instructions for use:
- Before planting, work 100 - 150 g/m² (well filled 0.2 liter glass) of our Plantura organic universal fertilizer into the top layer of soil
- Water the base and freshly planted yew well so that the granulate can be easily loosened
- For maintenance fertilization in spring, you should fertilize another 80 - 120 g/m² (0.2 liter glass) per plant
Work the fertilizer with the rake superficially and carefully into theearth on. An additional handful of rock flour provides important minerals and trace elements. Another source of nourishment for your yew trees is a thick layer of mulch made from leaves or grass clippings. This slowly decomposes and releases the nutrients it contains over the course of the year. In addition, the soil under the layer stays moist longer and is slightly warmer in winter. Even weeds hardly stand a chance.
Fertilize yew hedges with minerals: Blaukorn and Co.
Yews are ideally adapted to the conditions in the home garden thanks to thousands of years of development. If possible, nutrients and minerals should be released into the soil slowly, because the low nutrient requirement makes yew trees susceptible to over-fertilization. A mineral fertilizer such as blue grain is therefore only recommended for plants if there are signs of deficiency. Otherwise, the rapid nutrient release is rather counterproductive. If you do resort to the mineral fertilizer variant, you should rather apply it more often and in low doses. This is how you minimize the risk of over-fertilization.
Fertilize yew hedges with Epsom s alt
In order to get your yew hedge in top condition for the winter, you can apply fertilizer again in autumn around the end of August. It is best not to use a growth-promoting nitrogen fertilizer, but rather a fertilizer containing magnesium, such as Epsom s alt. The magnesium supports the resilience of your hedge and thus minimizes possible frost damage in winter. It also ensures that the leaves are lush green even in winter.
Fertilize yew trees with home remedies
Household remedies are nothing for a rich vegetable harvest, but fortunately yews don't need much to get by. For example, use dried coffee or tea grounds that you work into the top layer of soil or add to the irrigation water. Plant parts from stinging nettles and other herbs that accumulate in the garden can be poured into a brew. This is then used as irrigation water.
In addition to fertilizing, regular pruning is also one of the important care measures. In this article you will find interesting tips for trimming shrubs.