Is there an easy, efficient way to fertilize a lot of shrubs? (fertilizer, butterfly)

[Mattie]

We have a very large planting bed on a slope in front of our house, and one part of it has 30 or so big azalea bushes. In the past it wasn't difficult to fertilize the roots individually, but at this point, they're almost impenetrable without damaging some of the branches. They're in bloom right now, and gorgeous. I just hope there's a way to do this without belly crawling for a couple of hours?

[ferraris]

If they are that well established, do they actually need fertilizer?

Maybe you could spray something through a hose, like Miracle-Gro or Fish Emulsion or something?

[Butterfly4u]

Mattie,
Just go buy yourself some Milliorganite and throw it on the bushes. Big hand fulls.
Then water in good.
Then forget them.
That simple.

[Hemlock140]

The time to fertilize them is early spring before they bloom, and I would use Miracid from a hose-end spray bottle. You can fertilize again after deadheading but I would not fertilize while in bloom.

[southernnaturelover]

My azaleas have been here for over 40 years and have never needed fertilizer, but they do love being mulched with pine needles and oak leaves.

[Mattie]

Originally Posted by Butterfly4u

Mattie,
Just go buy yourself some Milliorganite and throw it on the bushes. Big hand fulls.
Then water in good.
Then forget them.
That simple.

Ha, I like this answer, but I appreciate all of them.

My husband bought the fertilizer (pellets), and opened the bags, so that's what I'm using. I won't fertilize while they're in bloom, but it's been a couple of years since we've used any at all.

[Gerania]

I've always thrown Holly-tone at mine. It's cheap, too.

[mmyk72]

I'm curious, why not fertilize while in bloom??