With what and when should you fertilize boxwood?

It pleases us as a shapely bed border, representative hedge or furious green sculpture. In order for boxwood to meet the floral expectations of its gardeners, careful cultivation is essential. The well-dosed administration of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements plays a central role in the round of professional care measures. The time and nutrient formulation are just as relevant as the amount administered. Don't puzzle any longer about the question of what and when to fertilize boxwood. Here you can read the answer, tried and tested and precise.

Recommended fertilizers

The decision for the favorite boxwood fertilizer conforms to the individual basic attitude of the gardener. If the garden management is based on natural premises, the use of mineral or mineral-organic preparations is frowned upon. In this case, the focus is on purely organic fertilizers. Anyone who aims for rapid success with mineral fertilizers and is not afraid of the higher costs should pay attention to the appropriate offers from specialist retailers. The following overview presents proven boxwood fertilizers with tips on when to use them:

Mineral and mineral-organic fertilizers for outdoor Buxus

If a boxwood thrives in a bed, the plant makes different demands on the nutrient supply than in the bucket. Since the ornamental tree can spread its roots largely unhindered in the field, it stands up here far-reaching access to nutrients than in the narrowly limited substrate volume of a planter. In addition, hobby gardeners favor a solid fertilizer for outdoor Buxus, while in the pot - for practical reasons - a liquid preparation is used.

Compo boxwood fertilizer

The mineral long-term fertilizer with an NPK composition of 8+3+4 is structured in such a way that it gradually releases its ingredients over a period of 6 months. This works because the fertilizer beads are covered with a layer of resin.

• When: One dose in March is enough for the entire season

Chrystal boxwood with lime

The formulation of this mineral fertilizer pays special attention to the increased lime requirement of box trees. The NPK composition of 9+5+8 is supplemented with 32 percent lime. This is particularly necessary in soils that tend to have a slightly acidic pH.

• When: In March and June 1 measuring spoon per bush

Boxwood fertilizer from Oscorna

The product comes with a balanced combination of mineral and organic components. A rapid initial effect results in a long-lasting supply of nutrients for up to 3 months.

• Time: In March 100-120 grams per square meter and in June additional fertilization with 50-60 grams per square meter

Cuxin boxwood fertilizer

This special fertilizer enjoys top ratings among hobby gardeners. The product owes this to a well-balanced NPK structure of 6+3+6 plus magnesium and seaweed lime. If a Buxus is spoiled with this concentrated load of nutrients and lime, it shows its best side all year round. Of course, this premium quality has its price, which is well above the average market level.

• Time: Apply 100-150 grams per square meter in March/April and August/September

Mineral and mineral-organic liquid fertilizer for tub Buxus

Compo boxwood fertilizer liquid

This mineral NPK fertilizer 8-3+4 is ideal for evergreen ornamental trees on balconies and terraces. Enriched with iron, the preparation supports a rich green leaf color and dense growth.

• Time: From March, 1 dosing cap in 5 liters of irrigation water weekly

Cuxin boxwood liquid fertilizer

Premium fertilizer for your Buxus in the bucket. The manufacturer added plenty of iron to the organo-mineral liquid fertilizer so that the rich green, shiny leaf color is retained for a long time.

• When: From March, 3-5 ml in 1 liter of irrigation water weekly

Gärtner's boxwood fertilizer liquid

The ideal fertilizer for the budget foxes among hobby gardeners, because the product scores with a low price without sacrificing an appropriate NPK formulation of 8+5+6. In addition, it is economical to use, because 1 dosing cap is sufficient for 3 liters of water.

• Time: From March to August give weekly in irrigation water

Chrystal boxwood fertilizer sticks

A sensible alternative to liquid fertilizer for gardeners who don't want to think about fertilizing their Buxus in the bucket every week. Pressed into the substrate close to the stem, the sticks unfold their effect over 3 months.

• Time: Press into the substrate and water in March and June

Dehner box tree fertilizer liquid

The fertilizer solution convinces with an NPK composition of 7+5+5 and is very productive. A capful of 3 liters covers the nutritional needs of a Buxus for a week. Larger specimens are ideally spoiled with the nutrient solution twice a week.

• When: From March to August add to the irrigation water 1 to 2 times a week

Organic Fertilizers

compost

In the environmentally conscious hobby garden, the compost heap is part of the standard equipment. If garden and kitchen waste is professionally piled up here and repeatedly turned over, a rich, purely natural fertilizer is available within a few months. Since box trees only grow slowly, fertilizing with compost reliably prevents a harmful overdose.

• Time: From March/April, work in a maximum of 3 liters of compost per square meter every 3-4 weeks

horn shavings

There is a high concentration of nitrogen in the hooves and horns of animals for slaughter. Crushed or ground and added to the compost, the organic fertilizer promotes growth.

• Time: From March/April, apply one level tablespoon to each Buxus every 4 weeks

Azet boxwood fertilizer from Neudorff

If it is not possible to produce your own compost for reasons of space or time, you do not have to do without purely organic fertilization. This product contains only plant and animal substances that are beneficial for the growth of a box tree. The microorganisms also contained in it make a valuable contribution to maintaining a biologically active garden soil.

• Time: Apply 25-50 grams per plant in March/April and August/September

BioTrissol boxwood fertilizer from Neudorff

Since the administration of solid, organic fertilizer to potted plants is cumbersome, specialist shops offer special liquid fertilisers. This preparation consists of purely natural ingredients in an NPK composition of 3+1+5 plus sulphur, trace elements and vitamins.

• When: From March to August, 5 ml per 1 liter of irrigation water weekly

Do not fertilize from September Regardless of the boxwood fertilizer used, the application of additional nutrients ends in August. From September, the evergreen Buxus should have a sufficiently long window of time to prepare for the cold season. If fertilization causes young branches to sprout after the beginning of autumn, they will not be mature until the first frost and will freeze to death. This shortcoming weakens the boxwood as a whole, since the frozen shoot tips open the door to diseases and pests to the rest of the plant. Prudent hobby gardeners therefore administer the last dose of fertilizer in early to mid-August.

Potassium increases frost hardiness

In contrast to the previous nutrient composition, a potassium-rich fertilizer is used for autumn fertilization. Potassium has the special property of strengthening plant cells and lowering the freezing point of the cell sap. It is precisely this specific that is the focus of interest just before the onset of winter, because nitrogen-driven growth is now no longer desirable. If you fertilize your boxwood for the last time of the year, we therefore recommend one of the following:

• Potassium magnesia, also known as patent potash, with 30 percent potassium and 10 percent magnesium
• Fertilize organically with potassium-rich comfrey manure or pure charcoal ash

Incidentally, potassium fertilizer does its useful work not only on box trees. Almost every ornamental and useful plant benefits from the strengthening effect of the nutrient.

Conclusion

A well-considered nutritional concept makes a significant contribution to success so that a box tree presents the hoped-for dense, shiny green foliage. The slow growth, the demands on the lime content in the soil and the regular topiary require a specific nutrient formulation not directly compliant with other ornamental plants goes. In order to answer the question of what and when to fertilize boxwood, the question should be clarified in advance whether a purely organic or mineral nutrient supply is an option. If there is clarity here, simply choose from the fertilizer preparations presented here that have proven themselves in practice. For outdoor Buxus, it can be a solid fertilizer, while liquid fertilizers are preferable for tub trees. Those who are purely ecological in the management of the garden spoil their evergreen ornamental trees with compost, horn shavings or an organic product. Regardless of the preferred fertilizer, the period generally extends from March to August. In order for frost-sensitive Buxus to get through the winter healthy and lively, the annual nutrient supply ends with a potassium-rich fertilizer.

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