Organic Fertilizers for Fruit Trees

Animal manure is nutrient rich.

Organic fertilizers are made from manures, animal by-products, composts and seaweeds. They offer a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers. Composting helps to retain soil moisture and improves the structure of the soil. Most organic fertilizers and composts can be made at home or sourced locally. Fruit trees benefit directly from organic fertilizers and composting by producing healthy, vitamin-rich fruit to harvest.

Citrus Trees

Citrus trees are heavy feeders.

Grass clippings and dead leaf matter can be sprinkled around the tree. Well-rotted animal manure make excellent fertilizer and bone meal has high phosphorus levels, which aid leaf and fruit growth. Add 1/4 cup of potash to every kilogram of blood and bone meal for a complete fertilizer mixture. Spread any fertilizer evenly around the outer edges of the canopy and water in. Citrus trees have shallow roots, so be careful not to damage these by digging in the fertilizers. Fertilize a citrus every two to three months.

Berry Bushes

Berry bushes.

Berries benefit from an application of well-rotted animal manure fertilizer every spring. This can be spread out and dug into the soil under the bushes. Mulching under the bush with straw will keep weeds to a minimum and the decaying straw will release nitrogen into the soil. Four weeks before harvesting the fruit mix 1 oz. seaweed liquid and potash to 1 gallon of water and apply twice.

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Deciduous

Deciduous fruit trees, such as apples and stone fruit, require fertilizing in late winter as the tree comes out of winter dormancy. A mixture of blood meal and bone meal with animal manure is an effective fertilizer. Spread this around the outer canopy of the tree and water it into the soil. Compost spread around the base of the tree will keep weeds away while releasing nutrients. Keep fertilizer a foot away from the trunk of the tree.

Tropical

Tropical fruit plants benefit from compost.

Well-aged compost is a good all-round fertilizer for tropical fruit trees. Apply it 4 inches thick around the base of the tree, keeping away from the trunk. Leave any fallen leaf matter to decompose and release its nutrients back into the soil. Compost can be applied as often as required throughout the year. Fish emulsion and seaweed fertilizers are nutrient rich and are applied mixed with water.

References

• Green Harvest: Organic Citrus Care; 2011
• University Of Maine; Growing Raspberries and Blackberries; D. Handley; 2006
• Tropica Mango Rare and Exotic Plant Nursery: Fertilizing; 2007
• Gardening Australia: Deciduous Fruit Trees; P. Cundall; September 2004