If you’re like many Northern Virginia homeowners, you want your property to look great, but you don’t want to pay extra for services you don’t need. That might be why you have some questions about shrub fertilization.
Do your ornamental trees and shrubs really need it? Or can they live without it?
We turned to our Plant Health Care guru, Grant Osvalds, to answer that, along with other common questions we get about fertilizing small trees and shrubs.
The first question that people ask us when we suggest small tree and shrub fertilization services is: Do I really need that?
And Grant says he understands the pushback. Homeowners work hard for their money, and they don’t want to pay for services that they don’t really need.
Here’s the truth about ornamental plant fertilization - your trees and shrubs will survive without it, Grant says. We’re not here to use scare tactics or tell you that your ornamental trees and shrubs won’t live if you don’t pay us to fertilize them.
But the truth is, without investing in Plant Health Care (and small tree and shrub fertilization is a vital part of that), they’ll never perform as well as they could. They might also be more prone to problems.
Grant says homeowners who choose a Plant Health Care program want to protect their landscape investment. They want their plants to look their very best…and they don’t want to settle for “so-so.”
In fact, he says many homeowners invest in Plant Health Care after completing a landscape installation project with Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape. They just spent a lot of money on new plants, and they want to do everything they can to keep them healthy.
Grant says that Kingstowne fertilizes ornamental trees and shrubs in Northern Virginia twice yearly. Once in the spring, when our team applies a foliar spray, and once in the fall, when we perform a deep-root fertilization service.
It's important to note that not all trees are covered by these services. For our part, Kingstowne provides PHC services for shrubs and ornamental trees - generally, those smaller than 15-20' tall. (For large tree and shade tree care, certified arborist services may be required.)
With the spring fertilization service, we provide a quick boost of readily available micronutrients as the plant comes out of dormancy and begins to grow again. We also combine this with insect and disease treatments, since this is the time to be proactive about preventing these problems.
Our fall deep-root fertilization service is a little different. During this service, we inject a professional-grade liquid fertilizer into the soil, where roots absorb it and transport it through the plant in a process called translocation.
According to Grant, most shrubs and trees in a residential landscape benefit greatly from annual fertilization (once in the spring and once in the fall).
At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we focus on your ornamentals (small trees and shrubs). These are typically the showpiece plants that add wow factor and curb appeal.
Remember, tree and shrub fertilization is just one part of our Plant Health Care program.
At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, our Plant Health Care treatment schedule includes 7 treatments throughout the year, timed for optimal results. These treatments combine fertilization, insect and mite control, and disease control to ensure your plants get what they need while staying protected from potential problems.
The cost of Plant Health Care in Northern Virginia depends on how many trees and shrubs you have and how much we’re treating. For example, a townhome treatment likely starts around $45, and a single-family home treatment around $65.
For many homeowners, it really boils down to peace of mind.
By investing in tree and shrub fertilization, along with other Plant Health Care services, you gain peace of mind and reduce your chances of repair or replacement costs later. Replacing plant material that has succumbed to disease, pests, or environmental stressors can cost much more than protecting it in the first place.
For example, consider an azalea you’ve had for a long time in front of your home. Let’s say it dies from a lace bug infestation, a common azalea pest. The cost of removal and installation, plus replacing the plant itself, could easily run $300 or more for that one plant. You might not even be able to find a mature plant of a similar size nearby. It’s a lot of hassle and expense. This is why many turn to Plant Health Care.
Of course, we’re not saying that nothing will ever go wrong with your plants. Grant stresses that even when you do everything right and invest in Plant Health Care, problems can still arise. But investing in care greatly increases your odds of maintaining a healthy landscape.
During deep-root fertilization, a professional-grade liquid fertilizer is injected into the soil, where the roots absorb it and transport it through the plant in a process called translocation.
We perform this service in the fall because it’s a great time to provide your small trees and shrubs with vital nutrients as they head into winter. This helps them survive winter and sets them up for early spring growth.
According to Grant, some signs that plants could be struggling and would benefit from a fertilization service include:
These signs don't automatically mean your small trees and shrubs lack nutrients. Other problems, such as pests, disease, and environmental stress, can also cause them, says Grant.
But the good news is that Plant Health Care is a comprehensive program that covers all of that. It takes a big-picture approach and takes important steps to keep your landscape healthy.
We’re basically back to where we started with this question. People ask us, Do I really need to fertilize my trees and shrubs? And ultimately, they might follow it up with, So is it truly worth it?
Yes, we believe a tree and shrub fertilization service is worth the investment.
Although many assume ornamental trees and shrubs are self-sustaining, they aren’t. Because they are often planted far from their native soils, trees and shrubs need extra care. Trees in suburban environments can be stressed by the lack of nutrients found in typical woodland settings. This is why using plant fertilization services can help.
If you care about doing what you can to keep your trees and shrubs looking their best (and we’re guessing you are if you’re reading this article), this is a service we think you’ll find valuable.
Grant covered the 7 most commonly asked questions above, but let’s just make sure we haven’t missed anything. Here are a few more questions you might be thinking. If we missed anything, we’re always available as a resource.
What are some of the most common problems Plant Health Care addresses?
Many problems lurk in residential landscapes and can harm your trees and shrubs. Common issues include Scale, Bagworms, Spider Mites, Aphids, Lace Bugs, Anthracnose, Apple Scab, and dozens more. Plant Health Care treatments can also help protect your plants from disease, pests, and environmental stressors.
Will Plant Health Care prevent my plants from dying?
We can’t promise Plant Health Care will be a magic cure. If your plant is already infested with pests or overrun with disease, it may be too late. But Plant Health Care plays an important role in proactively preventing many problems. It can also help address some existing issues. But if you’re calling us because your plant is already dying, we will be honest and recommend replacement if that's the best course of action.
What plants might benefit most from Plant Health Care?
Some common plants in our area that benefit most from Plant Health Care include Boxwood, Azalea, and Holly, along with ornamental trees such as dogwoods and crabapples.
We know it can be complicated to understand what your shrubs and ornamental trees need to thrive. You want to make wise decisions to invest in their longevity, but you may not be sure what’s best.
That’s why we're here to help.
If you have questions about your plants' health, the cost of Plant Health Care services for your specific property, or anything else related to your trees and shrubs, we're here to help.
With a professional guiding your shrubs and ornamentals to optimal health, you’ll have peace of mind that your landscape will keep looking and performing at its best.
Want to be sure your small trees and shrubs are in good hands so your Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA landscape looks its best? Then request your quote for our comprehensive Plant Health Care program and relax as you get the royal treatment.