Has anyone ever used shrub fertelizer stakes?

I am going to plant two Weigela shrubs,and want to know if I need to fertelize after they are in the ground. I live in Massachusetts,and it is the first week of November.The temp will be in the 60's this week.I use plant fertilizer stakes in my house plants,and was wondering if they are recommended for shrubs as well.Any other suggestions on a succesful planting would be appreciated.I am adding cow manure to the soil mixture too.thanks for your help.

Has anyone ever used shrub fertelizer stakes?
Plant fertilizer stakes are very good in the growing season. Do not use them now!! You don't want to push a plant going into the winter. If you use anything use a transplant liquid with your water like Bonide Root'n'Grow or Ortho Plant Starter. In the spring when the plant is out of dormancy you can use the spikes.
Reply:Being November in Massachusetts I would say just get the bushes in the ground and see that they have a good water supply. I would not fertilize until next March or April, as fertilizing now is not going to do you plants any good as they probably will not be growing this winter, but will be dormant.


I have used fertilizer stakes in the past on bushes and they do work. You just want to do it at the appropriate time.
Reply:I use them regularly, and my shrubs are nearly double the size of my neighbors after the same amount of time.





However, I don't recommend these for the first year. Let the shrub have time to get the roots going. I would use a rooting-mixture and nothing more.





Just before spring, the second year, consider the fertilizer stakes. But follow the directions carefully - as I've killed shrubs by placing the stake too close.