Hello

This is a dwarf Alberta Spruce, and fertilizer will not help this condition. Fertilizer should not be given to a stressed plant.

There are a couple common causes of needles browning— spider mites which usually occur on heat damaged branches( from reflected heat off of pavement or bricks); and winter desiccation damage.

This statement from MSU Extension explains

“bushes can turn color and drop leaves early when infested with spider mites. This commonly occurs when plants are growing in a location near a wall, sidewalk or driveway where reflected heat can cause stress. Heat-stressed burning bushes and other plants like Alberta spruces are prime locations for the buildup of mite populations that develop quickly under hot conditions causing injured foliage that turns color and drops”

See this article for how to test for spider mites, and how to control them.

https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2016/06-10/mites.html

And for your reference, this is information on winter burn-

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/winter-burn/

Alberta spruce needs well drained moist soil. Too much water, or too little water, can cause damage. So carefully dig down near the plant after the irrigation has run. Soil should be moist at least 6-8 inches down. If dry, the plant did not get enough water, and you should adjust the timing or the emitters on your system. If the soil is so wet that it is sticky or is puddling water, that is too much.

Please remember to water all your evergreens through October if rainfall is absent for more than 2 weeks. Evergreens must go into winter well hydrated up to when the ground freezes.

It will take a couple seasons for your shrub to fill the brown spots with new needles. If you decide to replace it, better evergreen choices would be yews or junipers, which can better tolerate hot locations like this one near your pavement.