Citrus timber are heavy feeders and wish constant care to thrive. Figuring out learn how to fertilize citrus, together with how a lot, how usually, and when to fertilize, is vital to maintaining timber wholesome and productive. Learn to do it proper, and also you’ll take pleasure in robust development, inexperienced leaves, and loads of scrumptious fruit.
What we’ll cowl:
Why Citrus Timber Want Citrus Fertilizer
Citrus timber are distinctive. Their nutrient wants are totally different from most different fruit timber. They particularly profit from fertilizers formulated particularly for citrus, which comprise the fitting mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and important micronutrients like magnesium, manganese, and iron.
With out these extras, you would possibly see pale leaves, poor development, or fewer (and lower-quality) fruit.
Search for a fertilizer labeled for citrus—these are balanced for what your tree wants most. I take advantage of this natural citrus fertilizer from Amazon and have had nice outcomes yr after yr.
When to Fertilize Citrus
Within the low desert, it’s straightforward to recollect when to feed your citrus timber: Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
This easy schedule helps break up the full yearly fertilizer quantity into three feedings—simply what citrus timber want to remain wholesome and productive.
Extra particularly, right here’s what the College of Arizona Extension recommends:
Oranges, mandarins, grapefruit:Feed one-third in January–February, one-third in March–April, and one-third in Might–June.
Lemons and limes:Feed one-third in January–February, one-third in March–April, and one-third in August–September.
Lemons and limes normally want about 10% extra fertilizer than different citrus. Grapefruit and pummelo timber usually want half as a lot.
Need assistance selecting which kind of citrus to plant? This text talks about 30 totally different kinds of citrus. Some oranges are greatest for juicing, and others are greatest eaten contemporary. Nonetheless can’t resolve? This text might assist you resolve which kind of citrus tree to plant.
How A lot Fertilizer to Apply
Your tree’s dimension determines how a lot fertilizer it wants. Right here’s a normal information based mostly on tree top:
Small (2–3 ft): ¼ to ½ pound nitrogen per yr
Medium (4–8 ft): ¾ to 1 pound nitrogen per yr
Giant (10+ ft): 1¼ to 1½ kilos nitrogen per yr
Divide the full quantity into thirds and apply it in keeping with the seasonal schedule above.
Apply Citrus Fertilizer
When it’s time to fertilize, correct software makes an enormous distinction. Comply with these easy steps:
Pull again any extreme mulch from beneath the tree to reveal the soil, maintaining it off the trunk.
Sprinkle the fertilizer evenly across the drip line—that’s the outer fringe of the tree’s cover, the place the feeder roots are most lively.
Flippantly rake the fertilizer into the highest inch or two of soil to assist it take up and forestall runoff.
Water deeply to maneuver the vitamins into the basis zone.
Push the mulch again into place to assist retain moisture and shield the soil.
Keep away from piling fertilizer close to the trunk or utilizing an excessive amount of directly—each can hurt the tree.
For detailed tips on watering intervals, seek the advice of my month-to-month weblog posts or the College of Arizona Extension Workplace’s publication, Irrigating Citrus Timber. In search of extra citrus-growing suggestions? Try this text for extra insights on learn how to develop citrus.
Need extra detailed suggestions on learn how to fertilize citrus by tree dimension and age? Try the complete Citrus Fertilizer Chart for actual quantities and timing.
Ideas for Feeding Citrus
Use an natural citrus-specific fertilizer with added micronutrients.
Skip fertilizing timber of their first yr or two as they set up. As a substitute, use solely Nutrient+ and the worm casting, compost, and mulch methodology described on this weblog put up.
Over-fertilizing can injury roots and decrease fruit high quality—extra isn’t all the time higher.
Water completely after feeding to assist vitamins attain the roots.
Apply worm castings, compost, and mulch beneath the tree to construct soil well being and preserve moisture every season.
Help Tree Well being with Nutrient+
Along with fertilizing, I take advantage of Nutrient+ from Arizona Worm Farm throughout the rising season to assist timber thrive and get well from stress. Nutrient+ isn’t a citrus fertilizer—it’s a robust plant booster created from emulsified Black Soldier Fly larvae.
Nutrient+ helps tree well being by selling root improvement, enhancing soil biology, and bettering plant resilience to emphasize like warmth, frost, and sunburn.
Why I take advantage of it:
Helps timber bounce again from injury
Boosts microbial life within the soil
Improves nutrient uptake
Sustainable different to fish-based merchandise
I apply Nutrient+ thrice a yr—Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day—alongside fertilizer and mulch. For established citrus timber, use 1 cup undiluted for each 3 ft of tree top and water deeply.
You’ll be able to apply it extra usually to careworn timber. Apply weekly till the bottle is empty.
Feeding Citrus Timber in Containers
Citrus grown in containers has totally different wants than in-ground timber. As a result of vitamins wash out of pots extra shortly, container citrus must be fed extra often however in smaller quantities.
As a substitute of three giant functions per yr, break up the full fertilizer quantity and apply month-to-month throughout the rising season, usually February by October within the low desert. Nevertheless, it’s greatest to skip feeding throughout the hottest months, June and July, when timber are beneath warmth stress and fewer in a position to take up vitamins.
Use an natural fertilizer formulated for citrus, and all the time comply with label directions for container-grown crops.
Ideas for feeding citrus in containers:
Use an natural citrus fertilizer
Fertilize month-to-month throughout the rising season, besides June and July
Water deeply after feeding to assist vitamins attain the basis zone
Container citrus additionally advantages from Nutrient+ functions to assist root well being and restoration, particularly during times of stress from warmth or watering fluctuations.
For details about planting citrus in containers, see this information to rising citrus in containers.
Feed Citrus the Proper Manner
Wholesome citrus timber don’t simply occur—they want constant, seasonal feeding with the fitting merchandise and correct care.
Use a fertilizer designed for citrus, apply it on schedule, and assist your tree with worm castings, compost, mulch, and restoration instruments like Nutrient+ when wanted.
The end result? A vibrant, productive tree that rewards you with contemporary, scrumptious citrus yr after yr.
