Hi Phillip,

I'm waiting to get access to your soil test reports. In the meantime, here is the link to a fact sheet that explains how to interpret the results. Copy and paste in your browser. Open the link, scroll down and select Nutrient Management Guidelines, and then select Interpreting Your UVM Soil Test Results.

https://www.uvm.edu/extension/agricultural-and-environmental-testing-lab?Page=soils.html

Hi Philip,

The recommendations for each soil test are listed under "comments" at the bottom of each soil test. I will extract the most important information for each one, and you can read through the whole report if you want for additional information.

 Border Arborvitae #01155:

You need to add a fertilizer that is high in potassium. Add 1 lb per 100 sq. ft. of a fertilizer such as 10-0-10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium). The first and last number should be the same and the middle number should be zero. The organic matter in the soil is lower than desired for most woody ornamentals. Add compost or other source of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings) to improve your soil conditions. Add 3 to 5 inches organic mulch on soil surface.

Nigra Arborvitae Left # 01156:

You need to add a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Add 1-2 lbs of a fertilizer such as 6-2-1 or 7-3-4. The first number should be higher. The organic matter in this soil is lower than desired for most woody ornamentals. Add compost or other source
of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings) to improve your soil conditions. Add 3 to 5 inches organic mulch on soil surface. The pH is too high for acid loving plants. Add elemental sulfur - no more than 1 lb per 100 square feet at a time. Mix thoroughly into the soil.

Nirgra Arborvitae Right #001157:

Add a fertilizer that is high in potassium. Add 1 lb per 100 square feet of a fertilizer such as 10-0-10 (same as your Border Arborvitae). Again, the organic matter in the soil is low. Add compost or other source of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings). Add 3 to 5 inches of mulch on soil surface. The pH is too high. Add elemental sulfur - no more than 1 lb per 100 square feet at a time. Mix thoroughly into the soil.

I hope this helps you sort out what you need to do for each area.

Hi Phil,

I was just interpreting the soil test report. The people who do that are the true experts. However, everything I've read from my research indicates that your needleleafs will tolerate a fairly wide range of soil pH and soil types. I think you just don't want it to get any higher. You are correct in that you should probably mix the fertilizer with the compost. It will leach into the soil around the trees and shrubs. Try to find a small bag of fertilizer because you won't need that much. I'm guessing about 5 feet around each plant, and that would be about one ounce of fertilizer per 40 pound bag of compost. Then apply the mulch.