How to Fertilize Fruit Trees

You may need to fertilize in spring to have your fruit trees perform at their best. Apples, pears, cherries, plums and apricots will all benefit from an application of dry fertilizer after the long winter months.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Hoses
• Garden Spades
• Mulch

1. Select a fruit tree specific fertilizer, or use a fertilizer that promotes bloom, such as "0-10-10" or "15-30-15." The numbers represent the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contained by the fertilizer.

2. Apply the dry fertilizer around the drip line of the tree. The term "drip line" refers to the imaginary line on the soil that corresponds to the outward edge of the leaves.

3. Dibble (mix) the fertilizer into the soil using a trowel or hoe.

4. Apply a layer of mulch and compost to prevent the soil from drying out and to keep weeds from growing near the base of the tree. Keep the mulch at least 6 to 8 inches away from the trunk to prevent fungal diseases and allow for maximum air circulation.

5. Water around the drip line to move the fertilizer deep into the soil, where the roots can pick it up.

Tips & Warnings

• Fertilizing is best done in early spring before new growth begins.

• Nitrogen promotes green leafy growth, phosphorus promotes root and flower production, and potassium promotes healthy root development.