Arborvitae Fertilizer
Arborvitae fertilizer with a 3.6-3-5.1 NPK, extra calcium, and all-nitrate nitrogen — built for fast growth and deep green color on Emerald Green, Green Giant, and privacy hedges. Liquid feeding that reaches roots immediately, with no spikes to drive and no granules to spread.
How to Use Arborvitae Fertilizer
| Method | Amount | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Watering can | 2 Tbs (30 mL) per gallon of water | Spring & summer: every 1–2 weeks |
| Hose-end sprayer | Set dial to 1 oz (30 mL) | Same schedule |
| Watering can | Same dilution | Fall & winter: every 4 weeks |
| Leaf misting (optional) | 1 tsp per quart (32 oz) of water | Every 1–2 weeks |
For hedges: water the root zone of each tree — roughly a gallon of solution per young tree, more for established trees.
What's Inside
The 3.6-3-5.1 analysis is tuned for evergreens, not lawns. Nitrogen (3.6%, 100% nitrate — no ammonium at all) feeds steady green growth and is immediately available even in cool spring soil. Potassium leads the formula (5.1%) because it drives winter hardiness, drought tolerance, and disease resistance — the difference between a hedge that browns out in February and one that doesn't.
Calcium runs double our houseplant formulas (2.1%) for the strong cell walls dense evergreen foliage demands, with magnesium (0.75%) and iron keeping color deep instead of olive-drab.
Made For
All arborvitae — Emerald Green, Green Giant, Techny, American (Thuja occidentalis) — plus junipers, cypress, and mixed evergreen privacy plantings.
Problems It Solves
- Slow-growing privacy hedges that need to fill in
- Yellowing or browning foliage on established trees
- Newly planted arborvitae struggling to establish
- Winter burn recovery and thin, sparse growth
FAQs
How do I make my arborvitae grow faster?
Feed every 1–2 weeks in spring and summer with a nitrogen-and-potassium fertilizer, water deeply and consistently, and give them full sun. Green Giants can add 3+ feet a year with steady nutrition; Emerald Greens 6–12 inches. Consistent feeding through the growing season is the single biggest accelerant.
Why is my arborvitae turning brown?
Common causes: drought stress, winter burn, root damage, or nutrient deficiency. Interior browning of old foliage in fall is normal shedding. Browning tips or whole sections signal stress — check soil moisture first, then start regular feeding to rebuild vigor. Badly browned branches rarely re-green, but fed trees regrow around them.
When should I fertilize arborvitae?
Start in early spring as new growth begins and continue every 1–2 weeks through summer. Slow to every 4 weeks in fall — late heavy feeding can push tender growth vulnerable to winter damage. For new plantings, feeding through the first season makes the difference in establishment — the potassium-forward formula is built for exactly that first-winter hardiness.
Is this good for Emerald Green and Green Giant arborvitae?
Yes — both, and all Thuja varieties. Same nutrition, different growth rates: expect Green Giants to respond dramatically (they're among the fastest evergreens), while Emerald Greens fill in denser rather than taller.
How much do I use per tree?
Mix 2 tablespoons per gallon of water and apply about a gallon of solution per young tree's root zone, two or more for large established trees. For long hedge rows, the hose-end sprayer at the 1 oz setting is the fast option.
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