why mess with a thriving shrub????

if they are OK with it.. i am sure you have a lot of other things to work on with your new house ...

NEVER FIX THAT WHICH IS NOT BROKEN ...

but getting a proper ID would really help you make the ultimate decision ... it would help you research whether this is normal ....

if you can post a pic... we can probably tell you what it is

NEVER FERTILIZE A SHRUB .. period ... its a bush.. not a child ... nor a tree.. nor a conifer ....

ken

Ken, I've never heard of fertilizing children. What type of fertilizer is best for them?

But, back to shrubs...sometimes shrubs need fertilizer. It certainly doesn't sound like Gina's shrubs do, but that doesn't mean you can make a blanket statement that one should "never fertilize a shrub." Some shrubs planted in nutrient deficient soil can benefit from proper fertilization.

Hey Brandon,

I guess what I was trying to say about this little row of shrubs was that part of their woody roots are showing and they're not lovely to view. I thought perhaps there might be something ( soil+mulch ) that might be beneficial as well as pleasant to look at.

I didn't get the fertilize children thing but hey...
I appreciate people taking the time to give me advice.
Thanks ~

no soil on top of roots...

if you dont want to look at the roots ... add a course wood mulch ...

in your original question.. you asked if I SHOULD GIVE THEM SOME FOOD... plant food is fertilizer ...

SHRUBS NEVER NEED BE FEED ... they are shrubs.. not children ...

brandon .. you and i.. if we felt there was a problem with a plant.. would have a soil test done.. and amend the soil so the plants can thrive.. yes????

it is not worthwhile to tell the general public.. that plants need to be fed like children .... this would include.. conifers.. trees and shrubs ... they just never need food ... especially if they are within 10 feet of a lawn that is fertilized .....

the problem is .. excepting gina, of course [because she actually came here and asked] ... is that the normal homeowner... doesnt bother to read instructions.. if one teaspoon of fert is necessary .. most homeowners figure a handful is better.. and 2 handfuls is twice as good ... frankly ... the homeowner is the biggest polluter in the world.. feeding and spraying things that just dont need to be fooled with ... my water table just doenst need all that fert in it ....

so gina.. mulch to hide the roots.. with the benefit of cooling the soil... and as the mulch breaks down.. feeding the soil ... and reducing the need to ever water a shrub ...

no food..

no fert. ..

no nothing...

remember.. you said they were thriving.. so dont mess with them .. but solve the aesthetic ...

good luck

ken

Ken, I kinda knew what you were saying. I was just having a litte fun with the fertilizing children thing. I gotta keep you on your toes. LOL

Gina, Ken is right on target about the mulch.

found it virginia ...

let me know if i can be of any further help ..

yes to the above.. my kids have been raised in dirt ... and sun.. and water ... in fact.. here is a pic of the SANDPIT ... lol .. and i am sure they have eaten there share of dirt in the interim ....

do note.. i dont have any shade structure for my plants .. but i have it for my red headed pale boy .... i spend money on him and sissy .. not fertilizer ... and that mineral sand is about as plain a soil as you can get ... right above the green pail.. on the hill are two green giant arbs ... you see them in 2005 .... with NO FERT ... and no water since 2006 .. they are now about 10 to 15 feet tall ... second pic

ken

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So...can put mulch on exposed roots...yes?

Yes, generally a shallow layer of mulch is OK if you don’t like the aesthetics, but not against the trunk. If you let us know the kind of plant and add a photo of the situation you will get a more specific answer.