Privet is naturally super low-maintenance and easygoing. Honestly, fertilizing your privet hedge isn’t strictly necessary—but in some cases, a little nutritional boost can really help it take off. Let’s look at when it actually makes sense to give your hedge some extra love.
Generally, no fertilizer needed
Privet is a superstar for hedges because it grows fast and gets nice and dense. If you’ve got it in the right spot with decent soil, it’ll usually do just fine on its own without any extra feeding. However, there are a few situations where a little fertilizer goes a long way.
Feeding young hedges
Fertilizing is most important when your hedge is still “the new kid on the block.” Young, freshly planted privet hasn’t developed a deep root system yet, so it can’t always grab all the nutrients it needs from the surrounding soil. Giving it a little help now ensures your hedge grows in thick and lush right from the start.
The best fertilizers for privet
If you’re looking to fertilize your privet, these are your best bets:
- Horn meal or horn shavings,
- Mature compost,
- A good layer of mulch,
- Conifer fertilizer, or
- Standard NPK granules (like blue or green grain).
Timing is everything
When you fertilize can make a big difference. If you’re using mineral fertilizers like blue or green grain, timing is key for the best results: aim for twice a year, once in late April and again in early August. If you prefer slow-release fertilizers, compost, or horn shavings, you only need to apply those once a year in the spring.
Mulch: The ultimate two-for-one
You can actually skip traditional fertilizer altogether if you keep a nice layer of mulch under your hedge. Use garden scraps like grass clippings, fallen leaves, or straw. As these materials break down, they slowly release nutrients into the soil every time it rains or you water. Plus, mulch is a lifesaver for keeping the soil from drying out during hot spells.
Prepping the soil
Before you even get around to planting your privet hedge, you should prep the ground. Make sure the soil is loose and drains well. If you mix in some compost or horn shavings before you put the plants in the ground, your privet will have plenty of natural nutrients to feast on for the first few years, and you won’t have to worry about extra fertilizing for a while!
