Feeding trees

ANSI

I have two golden conifers in containers. I put some osmocote slow release fertilise in there when planted a few months ago. Shoul I add more to feed them through winter

Also I have a Laburnum vossi and around it have circle of decorative stone
Should I put some mulch on top of the stone or remove the stone and mulch then replace stone. There is grass growing up through the stone, how can i kill that without harming tree

looksee

I tend to be rather mean with fertilizer generally. I certainly would not feed over the winter, if there is a warmish spell it could produce soft growth which could be killed by a subsequent cold spell. Let them go to sleep for the winter!

The stones round the laburnum are themselves mulch, so I am not sure why you would put mulch over them. You can use weedkiller on the weeds but you need to use the right kind, some will affect tree roots. A systemic weeedkiller would be best as it just affect the leaves it lands on and goes into the plant through the leaves. Its getting a bit late in the season now though as they work best on vigorously growing plants, but might be worth a try.

ANSI

looksee wrote: »

I tend to be rather mean with fertilizer generally. I certainly would not feed over the winter, if there is a warmish spell it could produce soft growth which could be killed by a subsequent cold spell. Let them go to sleep for the winter!

The stones round the laburnum are themselves mulch, so I am not sure why you would put mulch over them. You can use weedkiller on the weeds but you need to use the right kind, some will affect tree roots. A systemic weeedkiller would be best as it just affect the leaves it lands on and goes into the plant through the leaves. Its getting a bit late in the season now though as they work best on vigorously growing plants, but might be worth a try.

But they do not feed it? Should a mulch not feed as well? In spring then what would i put onthe stone, a liquid fertiliser or feed?

looksee

The main purpose of a mulch is not feeding, though some mulches would provide some nutrients. Its just a protective layer that helps keep the the soil moist and suppresses weeds.

Yes, you could put a granular fertiliser on the stones in the spring and it will wash through to the roots, though unless you have really poor soil it should really not need a lot of feeding. Over-feeding could mean you have a tree with lots of leaves and few flowers.

ANSI

looksee wrote: »

The main purpose of a mulch is not feeding, though some mulches would provide some nutrients. Its just a protective layer that helps keep the the soil moist and suppresses weeds.

Yes, you could put a granular fertiliser on the stones in the spring and it will wash through to the roots, though unless you have really poor soil it should really not need a lot of feeding. Over-feeding could mean you have a tree with lots of leaves and few flowers.

Thanks;)