To do a soil test, you would take a small sample of soil from the base of your tree. From there, you can take your soil to the state’s agricultural department and get a test done from somewhere between $0 to $30. The test will show you your soil’s pH level, as well as the types of nutrients present in the soil. Ideally, your soil level should be between 6 to 6. 5. Soils out of this range need fertilizer. [1] X Research source
However, track how much a tree grows each season. If a young tree is not growing fast enough, you may need to add fertilizer despite its age. In general, branch length of trees should grow about 10 to 12 inches per year – though you’ll need to check the target growth rate of your specific tree. If your branch length is growing less, you may need fertilizer. If branch length exceeds this, however, you may not need to add fertilizer to your tree for several years.
The fertilizer should list the N-P-K ratio somewhere on the label. It should say something like 10-10-10 or 12-12-12. This indicates it is balanced and will be safe for use on fruit trees. You can also consider an organic option, like blood meal, cottonseed meal, composted chicken manure, or feather meal. To figure out how much fertilizer you’ll need, you need to consider the tree’s age or the diameter of the trunk. In general, you need one pound of fertilizer per year or one pound of fertilizer per inch of the trunk’s diameter.
You may also want to consider protective covering for your eyes and mouth, especially if it’s a windy day.
Unless you’re using organic or homemade fertilizer, it’s very important to read the instructions. You should also follow safety instructions carefully. [4] X Research source If you went for a pellet based fertilizer, it probably does not require mixing. You will simply scoop out the pellets and drop them around your tree.
If you’re using pellets, sprinkle the pellets in a circle a foot away from the tree’s trunk.
You can use a rake or other tool to spread the fertilizer. It can help to draw a line signifying the drip line in the ground before you start. This can help you see how far to spread the fertilizer.
To measure tree growth, measure each branch from its growth ring to the end of the branch. Then, take the average of all your measurements. This average is the level which your tree grew that year.
Younger apple trees should be growing at a rate of 12 inches per year. If they grow less, increase your fertilizer by 50% between years 2 and 3. For pear trees, make sure to fertilize if they’re growing less than 6 inches per year. For other types of fruit trees, withhold fertilizer until the tree begins to bear fruit. Once fruit begins to grow, start fertilizing the tree each year with fertilizer with a 10-10-10 ratio.
You can use an online calculator to determine how much fertilizer to use if you’re not good at math. You shouldn’t apply more than 1 pound of nitrogen in a year to any tree, maximum.
