How to Care for Laurel Hedges
- 1). Plant laurels in an area that receives full sunlight and has well-drained soil. The mature size of the laurel depends on the variety and plants spread up to 10 feet wide, so choose a planting location that has room for the mature plant's spread.
- 2). Water the laurel every 10 to 14 days in the spring and summer months. Use enough water to moisten the top 8 to 10 inches of soil. Laurels tolerate moderate drought but grow and leaf out best in soil that remains evenly moist without becoming soggy.
- 3). Spread a 1/2- to 1-inch layer of compost over the top of the soil surrounding the trunk each spring. The compost improves the soil and adds trace nutrients to the site. Laurels do not require fertilization.
- 4). Prune laurels in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut back dead and damaged branches to the nearest healthy wood. Prune the remaining growth back by up to a third of its length to control the size and shape of the plant.
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