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Garden

How to Fertilize Fruit Trees Properly

Penn State Extension

Spread fertilizer in a ring from 1 foot away from the trunk to just past the drip line in early spring before bud break. For young trees, apply 1/10 lb of actual nitrogen per year of age. For mature trees, use 0.5-1 lb actual nitrogen. Water in thoroughly. Never pile fertilizer against the trunk. Base rates on previous year's shoot growth rather than a fixed schedule.

What You Need to Know

Spread fertilizer in a ring from 1 foot away from the trunk to just past the drip line in early spring before bud break. For young trees, apply 1/10 lb of actual nitrogen per year of age. For mature trees, use 0.5-1 lb actual nitrogen

Water in thoroughly. Never pile fertilizer against the trunk. Base rates on previous year's shoot growth rather than a fixed schedule.

For personalized recommendations based on your specific garden size and fertilizer, use our fertilizer calculator.

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