How to Care for Box Hedges

Box hedges are a natural part of the landscape and are often forgotten. They require very little care, because they get their nutrients from mother nature and they do not require trimming to survive. But, their look can be improved and their life increased by regular maintenance and care such as water, fertilizer, shearing and pest control.

Instruction

Things You'll Need:

1.     Leather gloves
2.     Pruning shears
3.     Fertilizer
4.     All purpose shrub insecticide
5.     2 tbsp. canola oil
6.     2 tbsp. Murphy's Oil Soap
7.     2 gallons warm water
8.     2 tbsp. vinegar
9.     3 tbsp. baking soda

Step 1

Shear and shape box hedges in early spring and early summer. Using clean and sharp shears, remove dead or damaged branches by cutting them back to the trunk. Shape hedges using hand or electric shears.

Step 2

Apply fertilizer and mulch in early spring. Test soil using a soil test kit. If the soil test kit shows fertilizer is needed, apply 15-5-10 or 12-4-8 fertilizer around the base of the hedges at 1 1/2 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Place mulch around the hedges after fertilizing taking care not to place it directly on the trunks. Fertilizer that reads 15-5-10 means that out of 100 pounds of fertilizer there are 15 pounds of nitrogen, 5 pounds of phosphorous, 10 pounds of potassium and 70 pounds of inert ingredients.

Step 3

Apply 1 1/2 inches of water per week during summer months allowing the soil to dry between watering. Use a rain gauge to track rainfall and do not water if the shrubs receive that amount of rainfall naturally.

Step 4

Watch and treat for pests throughout the summer months. Inspect leaves and bark for evidence of chewing, boring, or blistering. Apply a general all purpose tree and shrub insecticide or make your own using 3 tbsp. of baking soda, 2 tbsp. of Murphy's Oil Soap, 2 tbsp. of canola oil, 2 tbsp. of vinegar and 2 gallons of warm water. Apply with a garden sprayer until plants and mulch are fully covered.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a general all purpose tree and shrub feed and protect to fertilize and control pest in one spray.
• Always wear rubber gloves when handling fertilizers and pest control chemicals.
•  Never mix chemicals together.