I planted lilac bushes a couple years ago. They look natural but are not thriving. Should I fertilize?
Answers: It's getting pretty belatedly in the season to fertilize, especially surrounded by Minnesota. You will be getting cold weather in no time and the leaves will be dropping along next to the plants going dormant for the winter months. However, you can give them a low nitrogen fertilizer at this time short promoting any new growth, which is something you don't want to do, newly before the cold weather hits. By using a low nitrogen, near a higher phosphorous and potassium percentage, you will promote root growth during the go down months, something every plant needs at this time. This will support the plant survive the winter months as well as any drought conditions it may encounter subsequent spring and summer. If you wish to stir "organic" you can add a cup of "bone meal" (around the root zone) which contains no nitrogen and is available at your local garden center, such as Walmart, Home Depot or Lowes. This will uplift new root growth and not leafy top growth. Hope this answers your ask.
**Billy Ray**
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