As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can tell you that it is generally not recommended to fertilize hydrangeas after August. This is because fall is the time when hydrangeas begin preparing for dormancy. Fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth, which will be too tender to withstand the winter.
When it comes to hydrangeas, timing is important. Fertilizing in the spring can help promote healthy growth and abundant blooms. However, once summer starts winding down and fall approaches, it is best to hold off on fertilizing. This is because hydrangeas need to start slowing down their growth and conserving energy for the winter months.
If you fertilize hydrangeas too late in the season, the new growth that is stimulated may not have enough time to harden off before the colder temperatures arrive. This can leave the plant vulnerable to frost damage and other winter stressors. It’s important to give the plant enough time to naturally transition into dormancy.
In my own personal experience, I have seen the negative effects of fertilizing hydrangeas too late in the season. One year, I decided to fertilize my hydrangeas in September, thinking it would give them a boost before winter. However, this resulted in new growth that was too tender and susceptible to damage from early frosts. The following spring, I noticed that these particular hydrangeas had fewer blooms and overall weaker growth compared to the ones that I did not fertilize late in the season.
To avoid this issue, it is best to stop fertilizing hydrangeas by late summer or early fall. Instead, focus on other tasks such as pruning and preparing the plants for winter. This will help ensure that your hydrangeas go into dormancy in a healthy and natural state, ready to thrive when spring arrives.
It is generally not recommended to fertilize hydrangeas after August. Fall is the time for hydrangeas to begin preparing for dormancy, and fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth that will be too tender to withstand the winter. It’s best to give the plants time to naturally transition into dormancy and focus on other tasks such as pruning and winter preparation.
