How to Fertilize Laurel

Wait until the early spring, when no chance of frost remains, to fertilize the laurel shrubs as soon as you see new green color. Do not fertilize until the ground is complete thawed.

Rake the soil under the laurel to remove leaves, mulch and other debris from winter. If the material does not look moldy or diseased, mound it up for reuse. Otherwise, place the material into a trash can or a compost area.

Open a bag of 10-10-10 time-release fertilizer and spread it over the soil under the laurel. Use 1 lb. of fertilizer granules for every 100 square feet of soil. Begin applying the fertilizer at least 2 inches from the trunk of the laurel to prevent burning.

Rake the mulch back into positron to protect the shrub roots and to conserve soil moisture.

Look closely at the leaves of the laurel on a regular basis to determine if any of the new ones are yellow, which indicates an iron deficiency. If yellow leaves occur, fill a garden sprayer with 1 gallon of water and 1 oz. of iron sulfate. Spray all foliage until saturated. Wait two weeks and spray the foliage again.