Are you thinking of how you can fertilize your hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas are one of the most popular plants homeowners choose to grow. Not only do they offer excellent aesthetics, but they are relatively simple to maintain.
If you want to grow strong and healthy hydrangeas, you must ensure they receive enough sunlight and moisture.
Moreover, it would be best if you fertilized hydrangeas to help them grow faster. One of the best fertilizers you can use for your hydrangeas is Miracle-Gro.
Miracle-Gro is a good fertilizer for a wide range of plant species. Nonetheless, when using this fertilizer, ensure you follow all the manufacturer’s instructions.
Generally, you need to apply this fertilizer every time you water your hydrangea plant for approximately three weeks. When applying this fertilizer, be careful not to tamper with the leaves.
Apply the fertilizer directly to the soil underneath the plant. When the Miracle-Gro fertilizer splashes on your leaves accidentally, it leads to burning. So, when this happens, pour water immediately on the leaves to prevent the detrimental effects of this fertilizer on your hydrangea plants.
Pruning is also an important part of promoting healthy and strong hydrangea plants. Pruning fosters healthy flowering. After you apply the Miracle-Gro fertilizer, sprinkle the plants with water to prevent the roots from burning.
Growing hydrangeas
The first thing to do when you plant hydrangea plants is to look for a suitable location. The place you chose should have fertile soil with excellent moisture retention properties.
Start watering the soil if necessary. Before pouring water on the soil, ensure it is dry. Dip one or two fingers into 3 inches of the soil to check whether it’s damp or dry. Doing this helps you prevent the soil from becoming soggy. The best time to sprinkle fertilizer on the soil is between March and May.
Gardeners should always monitor hydrangea plants. This way, the plants will stay in good condition at all times. If you notice any diseased plants, carefully remove and separate them from the rest.
Likewise, remove all leaves burned by fertilizer. Failure to do so would lead to the formation of powdery mildew. Afterward, spread organic mulch to protect the shrubs.
Aside from using the Miracle-Gro fertilizer, consider using Miracle-Gro’s Miracid to improve the acidity of your soil. When you apply this soil acidifier, sprinkle water immediately to protect the shrubs.
Miracle-Gro’s Miracid can burn the upper roots, hence damaging your plants. Aside from boosting the acidity of your soil, Miracle-Gro’s Miracid fosters healthy flowering.
Best tips for growing hydrangea plants
- If you want your hydrangea plants to grow well, plant them in an area with sufficient moisture and sunlight. Like most plants, hydrangeas need water and light to grow. If you live in warmer areas (probably the southern areas), choose a place that receives maximum sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon. On the flip side, if you live in cooler areas or the north, you can choose a spot that receives sunlight all day long.
- Hydrangea plants thrive in soil with excellent retention and drainage properties. Thus, always use high-quality soil to grow hydrangea plants. Use Miracle-Gro potting mix or fertilizer to improve the quality of the soil. Doing this encourages healthy plant growth.
- It is essential to plant hydrangea at the right time. Generally, gardening experts report that you need to plant hydrangea plants in early spring or fall. However, this depends on the climatic conditions of your area.
- Maintain the required space between each hydrangea as instructed by your seedling manufacturer. If you plant hydrangea plants very close to each other, they won’t grow to their full potential. This is because their roots won’t have sufficient space to grow.
- You need to check your soil at least once a week when growing hydrangea plants. If the soil is dry, water it. But before watering the soil, dip one or two of your fingers into the soil to check whether it needs watering. Keep in mind that watering moist soil can lead to sogginess.
- Gardening experts advise going the extra mile by applying mulch to the soil. Organic mulch releases certain nutrients to the soil that are beneficial for plant growth. Mulch also boasts excellent water retention properties in the soil and prevents the growth of weeds.
- When growing hydrangeas, don’t forget to prune at the right time. Pruning encourages new growth and flowering. Thus, it makes your hydrangea plants look fuller and healthier.
If you want to boost the aesthetics of your garden or indoor space, consider planting hydrangeas. These plants produce lavender flowers; hence are a perfect addition to your space.
When should you plant hydrangeas?
The best time to start growing hydrangeas depends on the climatic conditions of your area. If you live in a cooler region, it would be best to plant your hydrangea from early spring to fall.
On the other hand, if you live in warmer regions, the best time to plant your hydrangea is from fall to early spring. Always consult a gardening expert around your area to know the best time to plant hydrangeas.
Planting Hydrangeas directly in your garden
As mentioned earlier, you need to maintain the right spacing when planting hydrangeas. Identifying the right space to incorporate requires you to know the type of hydrangea you are planting.
Keep in mind that there are different hydrangea species you can grow. Always check the plant tag to see if there are any instructions that can help you.
Also, note that hydrangeas grown in shady places grow wider and bigger. Thus, you might need more inground space.
Planting Hydrangeas in Containers
If you want to grow hydrangeas in a container, use a large container to be safe. Always choose a planting pot that is two inches bigger than the estimated size. This way, the hydrangeas will have sufficient space to grow.
Taking care of hydrangea plants
There are a lot of things you need to do when growing hydrangea plants. Let’s take a look at a detailed explanation of growing hydrangea plants.
How do you water hydrangea plants?
After planting hydrangeas, water the soil deeply, ensure the surrounding soil becomes moist. This will encourage healthy plant growth since hydrangeas love moisture.
Note that the soil should be moist throughout the entire growth period. Nonetheless, you have to be careful to avoid soggy soil. Monitor the condition of the soil every once a week. Once the hydrangeas grow, they’ll grow best in rainy areas.
How do you mulch hydrangeas?
Once you plant hydrangeas, use a mulch layer to foster healthy growth. Spread two to three inches of organic mulch all around the plants. Mulch helps in preventing weed growth and boosting water retention in the soil.
There are different mulch types you can use. Some of the best mulch ingredients include pine straw, grass clippings, and shredded leaves.
How do you feed hydrangeas?
As seen earlier, you need to fertilize your hydrangea plants to encourage healthy growth. Once you purchase your Miracle-Gro fertilizer, apply it to the plants just before summer.
The fertilizer will gradually break down to release nutrients throughout the summer months. This promotes healthy plant growth and flowering.
Using Hydrangeas in Your Landscape
Hydrangeas are indisputably beautiful. As a result, you can use them to transform your outdoor landspace. Consider planting several hydrangeas around your backyard.
You will be able to create an attractive centerpiece for your garden. You can also plant hydrangeas in your indoor space using grow kits or containers. Ultimately, hydrangeas will add a whole new charm to your outdoor and indoor space.
Grow hydrangeas at home
Hydrangeas are popular plants among a majority of homeowners. They are known for their remarkable aesthetics and functionality.
The process of growing hydrangeas is not as complex as most people think. All you have to do is ensure they receive enough sunlight, moisture, and fertilizer.