Marianne's Response

Risk of Overfertilzing?

I have native mountain laurel, both volunteer and planted by me, on our property in Atlanta area. I am not sure when I last fertilized . Should’ve kept a note. How close in time of application can one get without risk of hurting my native shrubs , using organic Azalea/Rhododendron mix? We’ve had great rain this whole spring, and I want to take advantage of the soggy spring weather to give a bloom time boost. Is it ever good to fertilize even monthly? bi-monthly? quarterly? If one applies again too soon by mistake? – Q is HOW MUCH TOO SOON risks being harmful? If I think I might have had fertilizing done in early spring, should I just wait till fall?

Posted by Mary Hebblewhite on May 13, 2019

Marianne's Response

The Kalmia or mountain laurel like moist, acid soil with lots of humus or organic matter. They do not like a lot of additional fertilizer and some growers suggest they do best with no added plant food. Pamper them with a mulch of compost or rooted wood chips. If the leaves turn yellow that could be a sign the soil needs to be more acid so a plant food made for rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias would be the best choice for Mountain laurel as well. Sometimes we love our plants so much we over feed them - especially trees and shrubs. Fertilizing your kalmia  more than once a spring would be too much. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti