Hello terratoma. You can fertilize using one application of cottonseedmeal, compost or composted manure. One a new shrub, I would use about 1/2 cup to 1 cup. You can also use coffee grounds, liquid seaweed or liquid fish during the growing season and stop fertilzing around the end of June to make sure that the plant will go dormant in the Fall. These are all general purpose slow-release fertilizers. Osmocote 10-10-10 is also a good chemical fertilizer.

You can also tweak the mulch now to maintain 3-4" and amend the soil if it is not acidic.

This post was edited by luis_pr on Thu, Apr 11, 13 at 20:08