7 Best Fertilizer for Arborvitae 2022 [Reviews & Guide]

Arborvitae is the easy growing evergreen hedge plant and it is popular for natural privacy hedges, borders, and windbreaks. Also, the narrow and scale-shaped leaves of the arborvitae may be the reasons of its popularity.

But to get the quick-growing green and bushy arborvitaes, you must apply the right fertilizer.

Now the question is; what is the best fertilizer for arborvitae trees?

Arborvitae needs more nitrogen than other nutrients. So, the fertilizer that contains a higher amount of nitrogen is perfect for arborvitae. Also, the best arborvitae fertilizer contains some other nutrients that are derived from non-toxic chemicals.

For your convenience, Here I listed and reviewed the best fertilizer for arborvitae that help you to pick the right fertilizer for your arborvitae.

So, without further ado let’s get started-

In a Hurry? Here is the overall best fertilizer for arborvitae that you may pick right now-

Best Fertilizer for Arborvitae-Comparisons

FertilizerNPKFormTypePrice
Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed Plant Food18-6-12GranularSynthetic
Jobe's Tree Fertilizer Spikes16-4-4SpikeSynthetic
Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Food Spikes15-5-10SpikeSynthetic
Espoma TR4 Tree-Tone Fertilizer6-3-2GranularOrganic
VPG Inc BAC421 Tree & Shrub Food19-8-10GranularSynthetic
Down to Earth Tree & Shrub Fertilizer4-2-4GranularOrganic
Bio Advanced Tree & Shrub Feed2-1-1LiquidSynthetic

Best Fertilizer for Arborvitae-Reviews

1.Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Flowering Trees and Shrubs Plant Food

Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed Flowering Trees and Shrubs Plant FoodMiracle-Gro is the most popular brand that has been manufacturing miraculous fertilizer for 150 years. Here is the best granular fertilizer for arborvitae from Miracle-Gro that can be fed all type of arborvitae trees including  green giant arborvitae,techny arborvitae, emerald green arborvitae, and deer eaten arborvitae

The NPK number of this tree and shrubs fertilizer is 18-6-12. That means it contains 18% nitrogen,6% phosphate, and 12% potash as the primary nutrients. You know, the higher nitrogen is essential for foliage development and phosphate and potash are required for healthy roots and plants.

Good news; 11% of nitrogen has been coated for slow release that feeds your arborvitae plant continuously and another portion of nitrogen feeds instantly.

Also, the fertilizer contains 3.3% calcium,6.9% sulfur,2% iron,1% manganese to fulfill the nutritional requirement of arborvitae.

This fertilizer comes with easy to use the granular form and the fertilizer is derived from some organic and synthetic chemicals such as kelp meal, feather meal, alfalfa meal, earthworm castings, bone meal, potassium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and so on.

Measure 2 ½ tablespoons of fertilizer for 2 ft. dripline of the tree. Sprinkle the premeasured fertilizer around the drip line of the plant. Mix into the surface soil and water the plant.

 

2.Jobe’s Tree Fertilizer Spikes

Jobe's Tree Fertilizer SpikesIf you are looking for the best spike fertilizer for arborvitae, Here is the jobe’s fertilizer spikes for you. And it is a specially formulated fertilizer for the evergreen tree-like arborvitae.

As the plant food, it has 16% nitrogen,4% phosphate, and 4% potash. The higher nitrogen ratio makes this fertilizer perfect for arborvitae and the 16-4-4 ratio is enough for healthy arborvitae plants with green foliage.

The best part of this fertilizer is-

It has 5.7% slow-release nitrogen,2.4% slow release phosphate, and 1.8% slow release potash and you know the slow-release nutrients can feed the plant continuously up to a certain period.

This fertilizer comes with ready to apply spike form that is formulated from some non-toxic synthetic chemicals. You know spike fertilizer doesn’t need to pre-measure and has a lower chance to run off with surface water.

To apply this fertilizer to your arborvitae plants-

Insert 2 spikes on the dripline for 1-2 inches trunk diameter and water the plant to start feeding.

 

3.Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Plant Food Spikes

Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Plant Food SpikesHere is the another best spike fertilizer for arborvitae from Miracle-Gro. It is a specially formulated fertilizer for evergreen and flowering trees. Let’s see what inside the Miracle-Grow fertilizer for arborvitae

The spike of the Miracle-Gro contains 15% nitrogen,5% phosphate, and 10% potash for promoting vibrant leaves, healthy roots, and healthy plants.

Good news; it has 14.8% ammoniacal nitrogen and you will be happy to know. ammoniacal nitrogen feeds quickly and gently to the plants with no risk of burning.

Also, the fertilizer contains some other required nutrients including 16% sulfur,0.1% iron,0.05% manganese.

All the nutrients of this spike fertilizer are derived from both synthetic and organic ingredients such as ammonium sulfate, feather meal, bone meal, ammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, sulfate of potash, magnetic rock, and manganese sulfate.

You know, spike fertilizer can apply easily and has a lower chance of runoff with surface water. So, it can feed for a longer period of time without wasting the nutrients. There is no exception to this Miracle-Gro spike fertilizer.

Simply push 1 spike on the dripline for 4 feet arborvitae plant diameter and water the plant thoroughly.

 

4.Espoma TR4 Tree-Tone Fertilizer

Espoma TR4 Tree-Tone FertilizerEspoma TR4 Tree-Tone Fertilizer is the organic fertilizer for arborvitae. It is formulated organically from some natural and organic compounds. Let’s analyze this plant tone fertilizer for arborvitae-

The  NPK number of this Espoma fertilizer is 6-3-2. That means it contains 6% nitrogen for green and vibrant foliage,3% phosphate for healthy roots, and 2% potash for overall plant health.

The bottom line, the 6-3-2 ratio is enough for healthy and green arborvitae trees. Also, this fertilizer contains all other macro and micronutrients to thrive and establish the arborvitae trees.

This fertilizer contains 3.6% water-insoluble and 1.8% water-soluble nitrogen. You will be happy to know, the water-insoluble nitrogen can feed the plant continuously and water-soluble nitrogen can feed instantly. So, because of containing both insoluble and soluble nitrogen, it can be called as the best slow-release fertilizer for arborvitae.

All the nutrients of this tree tone plant food are derived from some organic and natural compounds such as feather meal, bone meal, alfalfa meal, poultry manure, green sand, sulfate of potash, and magnesia.

The most likable feature of this fertilizer is-

It has colony-forming beneficial soil microbes that make the plant healthy and resistant. Also, it has 1% humic acid to protect your arborvitae trees from environmental stress.

Besides this tree, you can also pick this fertilizer for avocado, apple, and other fruits trees.

Sprinkle 3 lbs. granular fertilizer for up to 2 inches trunk diameter of arborvitae, work on the surface soil, and water the plant.

 

5.VPG Inc BAC421 Tree & Shrub Food

VPG Inc BAC421 Tree & Shrub FoodVPG Inc BAC421 Tree & Shrub Food is one of the best granular fertilizer for all kinds of evergreen arborvitae such as green giant arborvitae,techny arborvitae, emerald green arborvitae, deer eaten arborvitae.

This fertilizer comes with a 19-8-10 NPK ratio. According to the NPK ratio, it contains 19% nitrogen for lush green foliage,8% phosphate for healthy roots, and 10% potash for healthy and resistant plants.

Also, this fertilizer contains some other nutrients, and all the nutrients are formulated from some non-toxic chemicals.

It comes with a granular form that can be applied easily to the arborvitae plants. If you want the healthy and green arborvitae trees, sprinkle ½ cups for 1 square foot area, mix into the top soil, and water the plant. Read the label for more dosages.

 

6.Down to Earth Tree & Shrub Fertilizer

Down to Earth All Natural Tree & Shrub Fertilizer MixDown to Earth Tree & Shrub Fertilizer is the best slow-release granular fertilizer for arborvitae trees. This is the specially formulated fertilizer for trees and shrubs.

The NPK ratio of the fertilizer is 4-2-4. The higher nitrogen and potash can help your plant to promote green foliage and healthy arborvitae.

It has 3.4% water-insoluble nitrogen out of total nitrogen and you know water-insoluble nitrogen dissolves with water slowly and feeds the plant continuously. Also, it has a small amount of water-soluble nitrogen for instant feeding.

This fertilizer comes with granular form and it is formulated organically from some natural and pet-friendly ingredients such as fishbone meal, cornmeal, greensand, langbeinite, kelp meal, azomite, and, humates.

The most likable feature of this organic fertilizer is-

It has a blend of 11 species of endo- and ectomycorrhizal fungi to improve soil conditions and produce healthy and resistant plants.

To get the green arborvitae hedge-

Apply 1-2 tablespoons of fertilizer around the plant. Work on the surface soil and water the plant.

 

7.Bio Advanced 701615 Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed Concentrate

Bio Advanced 701615 Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed ConcentrateIf you are looking for the best liquid fertilizer for arborvitae, here is the Bio Advanced concentrate fertilizer for you. Actually, it is not only fertilizer but also it can act as an insecticide.

As the plant food, it has 2% nitrogen,1% phosphate, and 1% potash to fulfill the primary nutrients of the arborvitae trees. Good news; it contains 1% slow-release nitrogen to provide nutrients slowly to the plants.

As the insecticide, it has imidacloprid, and clothianidin as the active ingredients. Both are systemic insecticides that can kill most destructive garden insects successfully.

All the nutrients and insecticide are formulated from FDA approved chemicals that can’t do any harm to your plant and health.

Also, this fertilizer is available in granular form. You may pick any forms that you want. Both are effective for healthy arborvitae trees with no insects.

Mix 1 oz into the water and pour the solution around the arborvitae plants for one inch tree trunk and get a healthy green plant with no insects.

 

When to Fertilize Arborvitae?

Before fertilizing the arborvitae, you must know the best time to apply fertilizer on arborvitae. Early spring is the best time to fertilize arborvitae because this is the time when plants need extra food to emerge new growths.

How to Fertilize Arborvitae?

Fertilizing arborvitae isn’t so difficult a task. You can apply fertilizer to your arborvitae by following some basic steps.

  1. Read the label directions of the fertilizer.
  2. Measure the fertilizer according to the dosages.
  3. Make 2 or more holes on the drip line on the plant.
  4. Fill the holes with pre-measured granular fertilizer.
  5. Backfill the holes with soil and water the plant.

Note: If you pick liquid fertilizer for arborvitae, then you don’t need to make the hole. Just mix the fertilizer into the water and pour the solution around the plant.

Homemade Fertilizer for Arborvitaes

Items Required:

  1. Coffee Grounds
  2. Eggshells
  3. Fishbone
  4. Banana Peels

Steps:

  1. Cut the banana peels, eggshells, and fishbone into pieces.
  2. Dry those in full sun and grind.
  3. Take 1 cup of crushed banana peels, eggshells, fishbone, and 2 cups of coffee grounds.
  4. Mix those properly and sprinkle 1 or 2 cups of the mixture around the plant.
  5. Apply water to the plant.

Conclusion

Arborvitae loves moderately and slightly acidic soil and the pH range is  6.0 to 8.0. Test the soil pH before applying the fertilizer. If the pH is higher than 8.0 add some soil acidifier and if the soil pH is lower than the 6.0, add some garden lime.

Remember; soil pH is directly related to the nutrient uptake for arborvitae.

I hope you got the best fertilizer for arborvitae and now read the label of your fertilizer carefully and apply it to your plant by following the directions.

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