Not a stupid question Suzy, if the ground is really sodden then I'd hold off feeding otherwise go ahead.

theres know such thing as a stupid question suzy after all the only hard questions are the ones you dont know the answer to . everyones got to be as they say in america a greenhorn to start with lol xx .

Thanks, think I'll hold off for a bit, we've just had another downpour here and some thunder. I'll see what its like tomorrow :)

maybe a day or to but still water them in as it gets rid of airbubbles etc .

Oh I haven't just planted them Nosey, they've been there a month or so now; went and bought some miricle gro plant feed for rhodos etc today.

Suzy is your soil acidic or alkaline? If you are not sure ask at your local garden centre or look in your neighbours gardens and see if they are growing rhodos in the ground. If you soil is alkaline then your rhodos need to have been planted in large holes filled with ericaceous compost. They shouldn't need feeding yet as it is going to take a while for the roots to spread out and settle. Rhododendron roots are very fine and look like hairs and can take a year to properly establish. I'd leave feeding for a couple of months yet. PM me if you have any worries.

I'm not too sure tbh Moon growe, I can only see into one neighbours garden and they don't grow anything in the ground, just in containers but thats for easy of maintenance I think. We do have a lot of clay in this area, but its funny its not all over, some parts of my borders are full of clay and other parts is quite loose. I think its because these houses were built back in the mid 70s and before that this area was woods, I can remember it being woods as a child. To be on the safe side I did fill the holes with ericaceous compost and added it around the top of the soil as well. Everything is looking healthy, I've got a Hydrangea that's been there for years and has always done well and during the last couple of months I've added two Rhodos, an azalea, a Camelia, a Pieris and another Hydrangea. I was just thinking instead of just leaving them to do their own thing that I ought to be feeding them which is why I bought the feed and posted the question. So perhaps I should not be feeding them just yet? Thanks for your help! Sue

Hydrangea's can cope with acidic or alkaline soil so, unfortunately, they are no indicator! Just done a quick Google check and most of Hampshire is acidic so hold off on the feed until it gets a bit drier. Mulch around, but not up to the Rhododendrons and azaleas with compost later in the year and simply have fun and enjoy them!

Aww thanks Moon growe, I didn't know you could check it on google! I'm learning new things every day! I only started on my garden a couple of months ago and I'm looking for things to do every day!

Have fun lass and recognise you are going to make mistakes! In general plants are very forgiving but I promise you I've killed hundreds!

Thank you Moon growe !