Question
We have 3 holly plants, 1 male and 2 females, planted in our North Central Wisconsin yard. The soil is rather sandy with a rather rocky granite base. White Pines and Birch trees are the natives of the area. We planted them last spring and they did very well.  We had blossoms and the females had a beautiful display of red berries. They survived their first winter well although there is winter burn to the top 8 inches of the plants, they are about 24 - 26 inches in height.  We didn't provide a winter sun shade for them but we will next winter season.
  My 1st question is about pruning.... The snow is still melting and no new growth has appeared as yet. Should I prune off the winter burn areas?  Should I leave them alone?  
   And 2nd, about feeding in our sandy soil.....I did feed them twice last year with Miracid.  Is this a good course of action, or, should I be using Holly-tone, or something else?  We really want to have these thrive and are hoping you have some suggestions to help us with them.

Answer
Feeding should be done in early spring or late autumn with a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving broad-leaved evergreens. (cottonseed meal, rhododendron fertilizer, Miracid? or Hollytone). Any of these fertilizers are good for holly. , If pruning becomes necessary, do it in early spring before new growth begins, trimming towards a symmetrical shape. Since it sounds like "spring' is not quite there as of yet I would wait until the snow melts and then prune the dead parts off. Then apply the fertilizer. Make sure they get watered after you fertilize the bushes.