Best Fertilizer for Fruit Trees

Fruit trees need to be fertilized to ensure their continued growth and fruit-bearing. Proper pruning and adding a good fertilizer at the right times of year will ensure that your fruit trees remain productive.

Therefore, this article will look at some of the best fertilizers for fruit trees, which are ideal for various fruit trees.



Fertilizing Your Fruit Trees

  • Fertilizing Fruit Trees – When you first plant a fruit tree, the idea is to encourage the tree to grow toots by maintaining even soil moisture in good quality soil. One or two years after your fruit trees have found their feet; you will fertilize them for strong and steady growth. High Nitrogen fertilizers are ideal, yet heavy rains and watering may easily wash them away. Therefore, mulch and compost are mostly used for fruit trees, which feed the soil and release it slowly.
  • Feeding Mature Fruit trees – Most larger and older fruit trees outgrow being mulched and usually end up with an orchard floor covered in low weeds and grasses. Using fertilizer sticks is a much better method to feed older fruit trees. Keep in mind that excess nitrogen may affect the color of apples. You need a slow-release fertilizer for older fruit trees to place a bit deeper to reach the tree’s roots.

Nutrient Deficiencies in Fruit Trees

Analyzing the packaging of the good fertilizer for fruit trees
You may need something else if your fruit trees struggle despite your pruning, fertilizing, and feeding efforts.

A Spray containing liquid kelp may be the first remedy to try.
Kelp and seaweed sprays contain various nutrients that fruit trees can take up through their leaves as a foliar feed.
The best time to apply a kelp spray is usually during spring after the new leaves have appeared.


Features of a Good Fertilizer for Fruit Trees

Reviewing the fertilizer if it does not contain toxic chemicals that can destroy fruit trees
Fertilizing fruit trees are required to have a certain amount of nitrogen. You can fertilize stone fruit tree types such as peach, cherry, plum, and nectarine trees with a maximum of 1/8 pound of nitrogen per inch of trunk diameter of the fruit tree.

Conversely, apple and pear fruit trees need 1/10th pound of nitrogen per inch of the tree’s trunk diameter.

Besides this, there are a few other ingredients to look for in a good fertilizer for your fruit trees and even fertilizer for vegetable garden;

  • Zinc – Zinc spray can be used, especially in Colorado, where there is usually a deficiency. Spraying the trees before buds break in the spring is ideal. However, avoiding this for apples before and after applying horticultural and dormant oil would be best.
  • Iron – When there is iron deficiency in a fruit tree, you will see that the leaves will be yellow or light green, and the ends of the branches will have a network of dark green veins. Margin leaf burn may also be evident in this case. Iron deficiency may lead to reduced fruit yields and poorly colored fruits with a flat taste. In this case, you will need to supplement the organic content of the soil and avoid overirrigation.
  • Calcium – If you have noticed, bitter pots and cork spots in apples directly result from the tree’s ability to move adequate amounts of calcium to the tree’s fruits. Young, over-irrigated, and overfertilized trees may be more susceptible to calcium deficiency. Calcium sprays can add calcium chloride to water at 3 to 4 pounds per 100 gallons. You can apply Calcium spray in mid-June, July, and August if needed.
  • Other Nutrients – Other than these nutrients and nitrogen, foliar sprays of micronutrients may give some remediation for the season if started in April-May and continued through up to June-July. Most water-soluble fertilizers can easily be used for treatment.

Nitrogen and most other nutrients can be broadcast over the ground around the fruit trees and watered in. This is, of course, except for zinc.

Please don’t apply fertilizer directly against the tree’s trunk; spread it out evenly. You can use foliar materials in the right calculations and material types.


How We Test and Score Fertilizers for Fruit Trees

Checking the organic fertilizer for fruit trees
These reviews are based on intense research, analysis, and feedback from our experts and real users from different digital platforms.

We spent 35 hours trying, testing, and scoring these Fertilizers for Fruit Trees for different key parameters and then shortlisted the best products in the market, saving you time and effort.

We used the following parameters for our tests and analysis.

  • Organic – We checked if the fertilizers were made from mined rock minerals and natural plant and animal materials.
  • Safe – We checked how the fertilizers contributed nutrients in a form not harmful to soil organisms.
  • Long Lasting – We observed how long the products would last when applied.
  • All-Natural – We researched the ingredients if it is made of bone, blood, fish, manures, greens, alfalfa, kelp, and compost.
  • Price – We checked the products’ affordability and good quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Fertilizer for Fruit Trees

  1. What is the best fertilizer for fruit trees?
    Fruit trees prefer organic, high-nitrogen fertilizer. Organic nitrogen sources include blood, soybeans, composted chicken dung, cottonseed, and feather meal. There are other fertilizers designed specifically for fruit trees.

  2. What is the best time to fertilize fruit trees?
    The optimal time to fertilize fruit trees is in the spring. They’ll need a lot of energy to push out new leaves and nurture baby fruits now.

  3. How often can you fertilize fruit trees?
    After the fruit has set, fertilize again with Master Start in late spring to early summer (usually May or early June). Fertilize again in late summer to early autumn to promote new fruitwood for the next year.

  4. What fertilizer makes fruit bigger?
    Potassium is a critical factor in fruit size, and high amounts of nitrogen are required for fruit development and growth. However, too much nitrogen can limit fruit size at a late growth stage. So, nutrient administration must be managed.


Reviews: The Best Fertilizer for Fruit Trees

Here are our top favorite fertilizer brands and models for your fruit trees;
We hope you love the fertilizers we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.


1
We have an all-natural organic fertilizer from Dr. Earth for various fruit tree types.
  • The fertilizer will help to stimulate healthy rooted development easily.
  • It yields healthy fruit and consists of all-natural and organic ingredients.
  • There are no added GMOs or chicken manure.
  • It can feed for several months and is more nutritious and stable.

Pros
  • Stimulates Healthy Root Development.
  • Made with 100% Organic And Natural Ingredients.
  • Contains no GMOs.
  • Contains Pro-Biotic.
Cons
  • Some Dogs Find This Fertilizer a Tasty Snack.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Organic30%100
Safe25%100
Long Lasting25%100
All-Natural10%95
Price10%90
Total Score100%98.5


2
From Miracle-Gro, we have easy-to-use spikes of fertilizer for your fruits, trees, and shrubs.
  • The fertilizer promotes more fruits and lush foliage.
  • It contains natural ingredients, and you only need to feed once in spring and fall.
  • You can also use it on palm trees,
  • The easy-to-use spikes release nutrients systematically.


Pros
  • Contains Natural Ingredients.
  • Great For Use on Palm Trees.
  • It is Effortless to Use.
Cons
  • It Has a Little Fertilizer Odor.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Organic30%100
Safe25%100
Long Lasting25%95
All-Natural10%95
Price10%90
Total Score100%97.25


3
The Miracle-Gro shake and feed fertilizer are ideal for Citrus fruit trees, avocado, and mango trees.
  • The fertilizer is ideal for citrus, mango, and avocado trees specifically.
  • It will feed them for up to three months.
  • Overfeeding and burning will be prevented if you follow the instructions.
  • It comes with an easy pour bag and instructions.

Pros
  • Formulated With Micronutrients.
  • Feeds up to 3 Months.
  • This Fertilizer Has a Stable Supply.
Cons
  • Keep Out of Reach of Pets.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Organic30%100
Safe25%100
Long Lasting25%90
All-Natural10%95
Price10%90
Total Score100%96


4
Jobe’s natural organic fertilizer is ideal for all fruit trees, including citrus fruit trees.
  • An all-natural and organic fertilizer.
  • The fertilizer is OMRI listed and verified for organic gardening.
  • It has Biozomes to break down soil and improve its conditions faster.
  • It also protects your trees against disease and pests.
  • The bag has an easy pour design that is very easy and safe to use.


5
The Kellogg Garden Organic Fertilizer is an all-natural fertilizer for your fruit trees.
  • The fertilizer contains all beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae to promote growth.
  • The slow-release fertilizer is easy to use and lasts for up to two months.
  • It is organic, natural and OMRI listed safe.
  • It is ideal for all fruit tree types.


6
The Jobe’s Fertilizer spikes are natural and ideal for all types of fruit trees.
  • Fertilizer spikes that are slow-release for your fruit trees.
  • The fertilizer is safe and natural.
  • It will last all season.
  • Contains no wasteful things, run off messy or hazardous materials.

Trying the Jobe's fertilizer for fruit trees

7
  • The Miracle Grow performance fertilizer is ideal for most flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees.
  • It comes in various-sized bags.
  • You can use it for inground and container plants.
  • The fertilizer will show results in less than seven days.

Using fruit trees fertilizer from Miracle-Gro

8
  • From Down to Earth, we have an organic fruit tree fertilizer.
  • The fertilizer comes in a five-pound box.
  • It is completely natural and organic in ingredients.
  • It is ideal for fruit trees of all varieties.
  • It is formulated to encourage homegrown orchards.


9
  • The nelson fertilizer brand is designed specifically for citrus fruit trees.
  • It is also ideal for avocado trees and tropical fruit trees.
  • You will see almost immediate results.
  • It contains all the right ingredients in the right amount for fruit trees.


10
  • The Real grower’s Recharge is another excellent fertilizer for fruit trees.
  • It is completely organic and enhances growth.
  • The fertilizer works on a variety of plants and fruit trees, and even lawns.
  • It contains only natural materials and eliminates the need for compost teas.


Index Table: Top Rated Fertilizer for Fruit Trees

No.ProductImageFeaturesBrandScore
1Dr. Earth Organic - Fertilizer for Fruit Trees
  • Poly Bag
  • 4lb
  • Organic
Dr. Earth98
2Miracle-Gro Fruit and Citrus - Fertilizer for Fruit Trees
  • Options
  • Natural
  • Spikes
Miracle-Gro97.8
3Miracle-Gro Shake n Feed - Fertilizer for Fruit Trees
  • Citrus
  • Avocado
  • Mango
Miracle-Gro97.7
4Jobe’s Organic - Fertilizer for Fruit Trees
  • Fruit and Citrus
  • Natural
  • Organic
Jobe’s97.4
5Kellogg Garden Organics - Fertilizer for Fruit Trees
  • Organic
  • Natural
  • OMRI Listed
Kellogg Garden96.9
6Jobe’s Spike - Fertilizer for Fruit Trees
  • Fertilizer Spikes
  • Natural
  • All Fruit Trees
Jobe’s97.5
7Miracle Gro Performance - Fruit Tree Fertilizer
  • All Purpose
  • Size Options
  • All plants Nutrition
Miracle Gro97.5
8Down To earth Organic - Fertilizer for Fruit Trees
  • Organic
  • Natural
  • Five Pund Box
Down To earth97.2
9Nelson Citrus and Avocado - Fruit Tree Fertilizer
  • Specailized
  • Granular
  • Matural
Nelson96.9
10Real Growers Recharge - Fertilizer for Fruit Trees
  • Organic
  • All Purpose
  • No Need for Compost
Real Growers97


About the Author

Eliza Ward

Eliza Ward is a gardening enthusiast, nature lover, and full-time mother for 3 lovely kids in South Africa. She has always had a fetish for beautiful gardens and yards and has the best design recommendations for all her friends and family. So she turned what she loved into her full-time job - by testing and recommending the best gardening products for our online readers. Read her reviews to know how detailed her observations are.

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