Fertilizing fruit trees plays a very important role in maintaining the proper growth and development of plants. Correctly selected fertilizers and doses will strengthen the plants and ensure he althy fruit. Find out when to startfertilizing fruit trees in springand what fertilizers to choose. See how to strengthen your fruit trees at the beginning of the growing season to get a high yield!
Fertilizing fruit trees in spring
How to fertilize fruit trees in spring
Fertilizing fruit trees in springcan be done with organic fertilizers (e.g.composted manure or compost) and minerals. Mineral fertilizers may be in the form of granules or to be dissolved in water, single or multi-component. Spread the fertilizers on the ground around the tips of the roots. Approximately, it will be a branch-like zone.
Mineral fertilization of fruit trees in springshould include the 3 most important macronutrients: nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Remember, however, that micronutrients are equally important, including calcium, magnesium, boron and iron, which also need to be supplemented, especially if the trees show symptoms of macro- or micronutrient deficiencies.
To provide fruit trees with basic nutrients, one-component fertilizers are used - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. For people who are not able to choose the doses of fertilizers on their own, themineral fertilizers for fruit trees , containing a mixture of the necessary ingredients in the recommended proportions, are a great help in growing on the plot.When choosing such a fertilizer, make sure that it contains the entire set of the above-mentioned macro- and microelements.
After planting, young fruit trees are fed in the first growth year in mid-May, the second dose in mid-June. Thanks to this, we will get strong growths needed to form the crown by autumn. If plant growth in the first year is strong, only apply the May dose of fertilizer, preferably at the beginning of the month. Older fruit trees should be fertilized with a lower nitrogen dose, as they usually grow slower than young trees.
Remember!We apply organic fertilizers, such as compost or manure, to older fruit trees every 3-4 years. We use mineral fertilizers for fruit trees every spring.
If necessary, the soil under fruit trees is limed every 3-4 years, but autumn is a better time to perform this treatment. The indication for liming is too low pH, i.e. excessive acidification of the soil.
Dosing of fertilizers under fruit trees in spring
It is good to use manure or compost mulch under fruit trees. Spread the compost in a 2-5 cm thick layer around the plants and gently mix it with the soil on a cloudy day. Manure is best mixed with the soil before planting fruit trees in a dose of 120 g per 1m². After application, the fertilizer is completely disintegrated and absorbed within 1 month, improving the structure of the soil, releasing the necessary nutrients. Granulated manure can be used to prepare an aqueous solution that will be used to water fruit trees that are already growing.
When selectingfertilizer for fertilizing fruit trees in springit is worth relying on a chemical analysis of the soil, which will precisely define fertilization recommendations. We use popular multi-component granular fertilizers such as Fructus Ogrodnik at a dose of 8-15 kg / 100m². For plants up to 4 years old the average dose is 40-60 g / m², for older crops 60-80 g.
Spring nitrogen fertilizationof young fruit trees should be applied at the turn of March and April. In the first and second year 50 g of nitrogen, in the third and fourth year - 80 g. On light soils in a fruiting orchard, use 60-120 kg of nitrogen per hectare. In doses: 1/3 in March, 1/3 after flowering, 1/3 after June 20. On heavy soils - 2/3 in March and 1/3 after flowering. If the increments were high in the last year, let's applyfertilizing fruit trees in springin a dose from the lower limit. If the trees are not blooming and the buds are cold, do not use the 2nd and 3rd dose.
Fertilization of fruit trees with phosphorusis done using Polifoska or bone meal. Phosphorus supports the fruiting of trees and stimulates early root formation. A comprehensive granulated fertilizer, which is Polifoska, contains nitrogen (8%), phosphorus (24%), potassium (21%) and sulfur (9%).Spring fertilization of fruit treesPolifoska is used at a dose of 4-6 kg / 100m².In turn, when planting fruit trees, it is worth adding bone meal to the dug hole. It decomposes slowly in the soil, making it a long-acting fertilizer. Fertilize several-year-old trees with bone meal every 2-3 years.
Potassium fertilization of fruit treesaffects the taste and color of the fruit, but not only. This element, due to its decisive role in photosynthesis, influences the production of nutrients needed for plant growth. It protects fruit trees against diseases and ensures a balance in nitrogen absorption. If the trees show a high tendency to produce leaves and the flowers appear sporadically, the plant may be overfertilised with nitrogen. To ensure a balance between nitrogen and potassium, it is worth using potassium fertilizers such as potassium sulfate. It affects the better appearance of fruit, improves their color and increases the sugar content. Before fruiting, use a dose of 3-6 kg per 100 m², during the course of 2-4 kg. In the organic fertilizer, which is wood ash, we can also find this ingredient.The potassium content of the ash varies depending on the burnt wood. It is best to combine it with compost in a dose of 30-50 g per 1m².
By fertilizing fruit trees in spring with magnesium ammonium nitratewe will influence the growth, development and yield of trees. Calcium ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer that is easily soluble in water. Magnesium in calcium ammonium nitrate is an important nutrient. In addition, it contains calcium, which has a positive effect on the pH of the soil and the root system of plants. For young orchards from 1-4 years old, 2.2-4.4 kg of calcium ammonium nitrate / 100m², over 4 years old 3.6-7.3 kg / 100m².
