Fertilizers and Nutrients
Applying the right fertilizers at the right time can increase growth and yields. Professional advice should be used to determine the type and amount of fertilizer to use.
Fertilized and watered black aronia plant seedlings are easy to grow. A slow release fertilizer such as 0.3 lb / plant (or 3/4 cup / plant) of 1.7N-4.1P-12K or 14N-12P-14K A slow release fertilizer is required for 5-6 months to ensure survival to long term and substantial plant growth. Apply fertilizer to the leaf break in the spring. A second application can be made later in the summer.
To promote root growth in native soil, spread the fertilizer in a wide band in a circular fashion around the plant on either side of the edge of the drip line, water and cover well. In some farms 14-12-14 5-6 months fertilizer is used to grow plants in the field. This is a slow release granular fertilizer. Be careful when fertilizing the plants, as over-fertilizing can kill them.
If you use a water soluble fertilizer: Mix according to the instructions on the container and when you apply it, wet the leaves and soak the soil.
Some use a fish emulsion fertilizer (5-1-1) that they spray on the leaves monthly. Another alternative is to use aerated compound tea made from worm molds. This airy compound tea is packed with beneficial microorganisms that help the soil make minerals more available to the plant. Compost tea helps plants be productive and resistant to pests. In clay soils, aerated compost tea helps improve drainage and aeration, as well as nutrition. Your plants will also benefit from spraying the leaves. Sprinkling your plant leaves with compost tea benefits your plant quickly and greatly.
A good sign of a sufficient amount of nutrients is the dark green color of large leaves, their density on the shoots, and significant shrub growth.
Mulch – Use for the following reasons.
- Helps retain water.
- Provides food for plants.
- It moderates the temperature of the soil and protects the roots from stress by high and low temperatures.
- Protects against premature flowering (frost safe)
- Suppresses weeds
- Build soil
- Helps prevent erosion caused by rain and wind.
Newspapers are a great weed barrier to mulch while the plant is young.
Mulch reduces evaporation and provides less stress to plants in the heat of summer. When applying mulch, keep it about 4 inches away from plant stems so rodents don’t bite into plant stems.
Weeds are one of the main problems faced by a grower. Mature aronia is somewhat tolerant of weeds and does not choke on weeds as easily as other plants after it is established. This is because it has a good taproot and a tendency to suck on it producing more shoots to help it form a hedge. The taproot once the plant is established in 3 to 4 years helps make it more tolerant of dry conditions in the summer and to compete with weeds for water and nutrition. It also has a sucking nature that produces new shoots and expands its growth footprint. Plants tend to grow out of a hedge over time.
Mulch / Compost
Give crops an extra boost by applying material between rows of growing crops and plants using leaves or other mulch along the aronia bush each fall. Plants covered with mulch grow faster than plants that are not.
A modified side discharge chopper box is a conventional way of accomplishing this task.
You may be able to get leaf mulch from your local town’s fall leaf collection.
Mulch Material Options
- Autumn leaves
- pine needles and straw
- grass cuts
- compost
- corn fodder
- crushed bark
- wood chips (wood mulches can starve plants due to their need for nitrogen as they decompose).