How to Fertilize Citrus Trees in Florida

Orange trees are great additions to a backyard garden.

Citrus trees are evergreen, fruit-bearing trees that thrive in Florida's warmer climates. They bear fragrant waxy, white blooms in the early spring and bear fruit in the fall and winter. Although fertilizer needs vary depending on the tree's health and soil, one fact remains: Citrus trees benefit from a lot of fertilizer. With a little observation and effort, your citrus tree will remain healthy and productive for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Citrus fertilizer
• Scale
• Handheld broadcast spreader

Instructions

1. Fertilize the tree when the buds start to swell after planting with a fertilizer specifically formulated for citrus tree health or one with high nitrogen content.

2. Measure roughly 1/4 lb. of fertilizer for 1-year-old trees. Double the amount of fertilizer every year of the tree's life. By the fourth year each tree should be getting 1 lb. of fertilizer.

3. Spread the fertilizer by hand or with a handheld broadcast spreader around the canopy or the drip line of the tree. Do not let the fertilizer touch the tree to avoid burning the sensitive trunk.

4. Water the tree enough to ensure that the fertilizer is absorbed into the ground so that the nutrients reach the citrus tree's roots.

5. Apply fertilizer once a month in the spring and summer, while the citrus is actively growing fruit. Water well after each application, making sure the soil is saturated so the nutrients reach the roots.

6. Add fertilizer to your citrus tree once every three months after October and until the first flower buds appear.

Tips & Warnings

• Older, established citrus trees need less fertilizer than trees that are still growing. Fertilizer applied three times a year, in January, May and October, during the growing season should be sufficient to maintain the health of a mature citrus tree.

• After the tree is 5 years old, spread 1 lb. of fertilizer per age of the citrus tree. A 6-year-old tree would receive 6 pounds of fertilizer at least three times a year.

• Even if the tree looks healthy and is producing fruit, fertilizing while the citrus trees are forming is very important to the future health of the tree.

• Citrus trees need at least 10 gallons of water a day.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Fertilizing Citrus Trees
• Texas A&M: Home Fruit Production: Citrus
• Gardening Know How: Fertilizing Citrus Trees: Best Practice for Citrus Fertilizing
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Your Florida Dooryard Citrus Guide: Young Tree Care