Fruit tree fertilising schedule

 

The material in the table below has effectively been extracted from The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia by Louis Glowinski (available from most bookshops).

The annoying thing about Mr. Glowinski’s statements is that the fertilisers that he recommends (e.g. 22:5:8 NPK for lemons) don’t actually seem to exist. The best that you can do is to use two products, namely a balanced fertiliser (e.g. 3:3:3 NPK) and a high nitrogen fertiliser (e.g. 14:0:0 NPK), and mix these to get near to Mr. Glowinski’s amounts.

For example, for lemons, Mr. Glowinski recommends that a mature lemon tree is given 1.33Kg of 22:5:8 NPK fertiliser in Spring. This is clearly equivalent to 1.33Kg of 5:5:8 NPK fertiliser + 1.33Kg of 17:0:0 NPK fertiliser. If your balanced fertiliser is 3:3:3 NPK, then you require 1.33*5/3=2.22Kg for the same amount of nitrogen as 1.33Kg of 5:5:8 NPK. And if your high Nitrogen fertiliser is 14:0:0 NPK, then you require 1.33*17/14=1.62Kg for the same amount of nitrogen as 1.33Kg of 17:0:0 NPK. So, you should apply 2.22Kg of your balanced fertiliser and 1.62Kg of your high Nitrogen fertiliser.

Fruit treeFruit treeFertiliserWhen?When?Discussion
Almond; Cherry; Plum; StonefruitAlmond, cherry and plumStandard deciduous tree
(e.g. 9:4:5 NPK)
Spring; AutumnSpring and AutumnNot heavy feeders. An established tree needs, say, 2Kg or the equivalent in manure (say, 5Kg). Apply half in early spring and the other half in autumn.
Apples; PearsApples and pearsHigh potassium
(e.g. 8:4:10 NPK)
Spring; AutumnSpring and AutumnAn established tree needs at least 2Kg of 8:4:10 per year, and at least some of this needs to be synthetic as manure does not have much potassium in it. Apply the synthetic fertiliser (say, 2Kg) in spring and the manure (say, 5Kg) in autumn (so that, after breakdown, it is available to the plant from spring onwards). For younger trees, use 10% of the full amount per year of age. If the leaves are not deep green, or if growth is not vigorous, increase the amount.
Apricots; StonefruitApricotsStandard deciduous tree
(e.g. 9:4:5 NPK)
AutumnAutumnAs for cherries, but apply in autumn only (fertiliser applied in spring is said to affect fruit quality).
AvocadoAvocadoHigh nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
Spring; Summer; AutumnAll bar WinterWith a young tree, apply 100g every three months except in winter. Increase this gradually to a maximum of 3-4Kg for a 10-year-old tree.
BananaBananaHigh potassium
(e.g. 8:4:10 NPK)
Spring; SummerSpring and SummerFor each shoot, 400g when the shoot starts to grow, then repeat 2 months later and again 2 months later. Add 200g dolomite in winter.
Blackberries; RaspberriesBlackberries and raspberriesHigh potassium
(e.g. 8:4:10 NPK)
Spring; WinterSpring and WinterIn early spring, add 0.25-0.5 Kg per square metre. Also, add manure in winter if available.for young plants.
Blackcurrants; RedcurrantsBlackcurrants and redcurrantsHigh potassium
(e.g. 8:4:10 NPK)
AutumnAutumnIn autumn, apply 0.5Kg per mature plant, or half that for young plants.
BlueberryBlueberryn/aAutumnAutumnDo not use inorganic fertilisers as the plant does not like either nitrates (cf. nitrogen) or chlorides (cf. potassium). Instead use manure only: 4cm in autumn.
Cape gooseberryCape gooseberryn/an/an/aNo need to fertilise
Citrus; Grapefruit; Lemon; Lime; OrangeCitrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, etc)High nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
Spring; Summer; AutumnAll bar WinterAnnual fertilising is a must. An established tree needs 2Kg pa plus additional manure (2Kg if chicken and 6Kg if cow/horse). In the first year, add 10% of this amount, increasing by 10% a year until one reaches the full amount in the 10th year. Apply two-thirds in spring and one-third in summer. Apply the manure in autumn so that, after breakdown, it is available to the plant from spring onwards.
Custard appleCustard apple15:4:1 NPKSpring; Summer; AutumnAll bar Winter55g per month per year of age. Apply monthly from spring to autumn (i.e. not winter). Double these amounts if growing in the tropics (because of leeching).
FigFign/aSpringSpringManure only, and don't over-feed. Up to 4Kg for an established tree.
GooseberriesGooseberriesHigh potassium
(e.g. 8:4:10 NPK)
SpringSpringIn spring, apply 0.5Kg per mature plant, or half that for young plants.
GrapeGrapen/aSpringSpringManure only, and don't over-feed. Apply in spring, when the buds begin to swell (no earlier and no later). 0.25Kg for a second year vine and up to 0.5Kg for a mature vine.
GuavaGuavaHigh nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
Autumn; WinterAutumn and WinterIn late winter, apply 100g per year of age, up to 1Kg for a mature tree. In autumn, top dress with manure.
KiwifruitKiwifruitHigh nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
Spring; AutumnSpring and AutumnIn spring, apply 250g, increasing by 500g pa up to 2Kg for a mature vine. In autumn, top dress with manure.
LoquatLoquatHigh nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
Spring; Summer; AutumnAll bar WinterAn established tree needs 2Kg pa plus additional manure (2Kg if chicken and 6Kg if cow/horse). In the first year, add 10% of this amount, increasing by 10% a year until one reaches the full amount in the 10th year. Apply two-thirds in spring and one-third in summer. Apply the manure in autumn so that, after breakdown, it is available to the plant from spring onwards.
LycheeLychee15:3:11 NPKSpring; Summer; Winterall bar Autumn270g per year of age up to a maximum of 1Kg. Apply monthly from winter to summer (i.e. not autumn).
MangoMango15:3:11 NPKSpring; SummerSpring and Summer270g per year of age up to a maximum of 1Kg. Apply monthly from winter to summer (i.e. not autumn).
MulberryMulberryStandard deciduous tree
(e.g. 9:4:5 NPK)
SpringSpringNot a heavy feeder and fertiliser not always needed. Up to 2Kg for an established tree.
OliveOliveHigh nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
Spring; AutumnSpring and AutumnAn established tree needs 2Kg pa. In the first year, add 10% of this amount, increasing by 10% a year until one reaches the full amount in the 10th year. apply half in spring and half in autumn.
PapayaPapayaHigh potassium
(e.g. 8:4:10 NPK)
Spring; SummerSpring and SummerAcross spring and summer, apply 25g per month until flowering, then 100g per month. If plant vigour is low, increase.
PassionfruitPassionfruitHigh nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
Spring; SummerSpring and SummerAcross spring and summer, add up to 2Kg per vine (for mature vines) in three divided doses.
Peach; Nectarine; StonefruitPeach and nectarineHigh nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
AutumnAutumnHeavy feeders. An established tree needs, say, 2Kg. Apply in autumn.
PecanPecanStandard deciduous tree
(e.g. 9:4:5 NPK)
SpringSpringHeavy feeder. An established tree needs 10Kg pa.
PersimmonPersimmonStandard deciduous tree
(e.g. 9:4:5 NPK)
Winter; SummerWinter and SummerAround 2Kg for an established tree, split evenly between late winter and early summer
PomegranatePomegranateStandard deciduous tree
(e.g. 9:4:5 NPK)
Spring; AutumnSpring and AutumnApply in early spring and late autumn. Apply a total of 1.8Kg for a mature plant (5 years or older) and 0.9Kg for a young plant.
WalnutWalnutHigh nitrogen
(e.g. 22:5:8 NPK)
SpringSpring200g per year of age up to a maximum of 3Kg. Apply in spring.

  45 Responses to “Fruit tree fertilising schedule”

  1. I have an orchard consisting of dwarf fruit trees that are espaliered. I take it that the quantities of fertiliser listed are for non-dwarf trees. It would be handy if the quantities quoted were given on a square metre of root zone basis. For example, a mature fruit tree that has a radius (2m) from the trunk to the drip zone would cover around 12m^2. My dwarf trees would cover about 2m^2.

    • Hi Murray,

      As explained in the introduction, the table is simply a summary of material from The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia by Louis Glowinski. From memory, Mr. Glowinski doesn’t distinguish between dwarf and non-dwarf trees, so it seems sensible to assume that the amounts relate to non-dwarf trees.

  2. Hi there,

    I have a three citrus trees (1x Mandarin, 1x Orange, 1x Lemon), all of which are fairly mature (25+ years). I also have a sweet cherry tree, also mature (25+ years).

    The fertiliser amounts suggested in the schedule seem small e.g. 2kg of chicken manure for citrus and 5kg for cherry trees.

    I typically buy the chicken manure from Bunnings (https://www.bunnings.com.au/fine-farms-25l-poultry-manure_p3010195?store=6224&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s-kBhDqARIsAN-ipH2K6jQG2cWyEsi2t9NBPMs2jzenzyHoODuM3xP-XWN0SD9qoLhW5ugaAjHEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds), which is around 10 – 15kg worth. One of these bags doesnt cover much area under the trees. Can you please advise if I’m adding too much manure (basically one bag per tree currently) given the age of the trees?

    • Hi Aydin,

      The recommended fertilising regime for citrus is actually substantial amounts of a high nitrogen fertiliser with additional manure as a top up. Citrus are heavy feeders and it is fine to give them lots of manure if you want.

      Guy

  3. I’m confused. Here it talks about fertilisers and then manure. So let’s say I use dynamic lifter as my fertiliser, then I’d have to add additional chicken or cow manure?

    • Hi Tammy,

      I’m not sure where your confusion lies. Fertiliser and manure are different things and have different purposes, with the former being a method of adding NPK and the latter having some NPK but being more about soil improvement. But there is a grey area where manure, if aged and concentrated, effectively becomes a fertiliser.

  4. I want to plant macadamia but I don’t know the nutrient management for that.
    Can you suggest please?

  5. Wow, this is very good information.

    I planted blueberries in pots 3 times but they all died? Can you help me please on how to plant & harvest blueberries in pots?

    I have 2 5-year-old apple trees and they have only given me fruits in one year and they were full of worms. How to look after them to give me fruits.

    I bought a cherry tree 2 years ago in a big pot, but all the leaves get spotted like burning spots. How to take care of those trees?

    Best Regrades

    Suzy

    • Hi Suzy,

      Re blueberries: they need very acidic soil, say pH 4-5.5. Grow them using azalea or camellia mix plus and/or add sulphur to get the acidity up to the right level.

      Re apples: that sounds like codling moth. Read https://localfoodconnect.org.au/community-gardening/codling-moth/.

      Re cherries: these things happen but, just because they happen one year, doesn’t mean that they will happen the following year.

    • Hi Suzy

      Your cherries may have ‘cherry slug’ – they are not slugs, but the caterpillars of sawfly. They are noticeable during summer and the leaves look like they are dying. I just squish them regularly, but you can also wet the leaves then throw wood ash over them (do it outside, downwind!) which dries out the bodies of the caterpillars. You have to do it regularly. Particularly look for the tiny ‘slugs’ on any green leaves that have not been affected.

  6. And what is the best fertiliser for my soursop tree, now four years old with quite a few flowers?

  7. I have custard apple plant of six years, it is flowering but they turn black and fall. How to save them?

  8. Hi, what would you recommend for plumcots?

  9. Wow!! This is the best reference Material I’ve come across and will be making good use of it. Thank you. You’ve made everything so easy to access. I’d love a similar reference to pruning and to when and what to spray too please? That would be magical. ??

  10. I have 2 mandarin trees. One 8 years old and has plenty of fruit, but the inside of the fruit is dry with no juice at all.The other tree is 2 years old and has no fruit at all. I have been putting citrus fruit fertilisers on both. Please advise the solution to this problem.

    Best regards.
    John

    • Hi John,

      2 years is a bit quick to expect fruit so just wait another year or two on the younger tree.

      In terms of the older tree, it may be a deficiency in Boron.

  11. Hi, this is great, thanks for sharing. Do you have any details for hazelnuts?

  12. When do I fertilise my jujube plant, sapodilla plant and barbedos cherry plant?
    Thanks

  13. Excellent layout for my interests. Not seen anything like these instructions in my numerous garden books. Thanks. I have 15 fruit trees in my Brisbane suburb & have lost several in the last 13 years of labour intensive love!

  14. I have 2 nectarine and 1 apricot tree. They looked very healthy but have had no fruit. All about 4 years old and dwarf trees. I got some fruit last year on 2 of the trees but 1 of the nectarine trees has never fruited.

  15. Hi what does “all bar winter” mean? Base on the discussion, my understanding is fertilising any time except winter? Thank you.

  16. What is your recommendation for hazelnut trees (Hobart, TAS). Thank you.

  17. Hi, I have a peach and nectarine and apricot tree. They are all bare just now. I did not realise you should fertilise in autumn. What should I do now as it’s 3 weeks into winter? I also have a hot compost started but will not be ready for about a month as I just thought I could fertilise in spring.

    • Hi Rod,

      Louis Glowinski recommends fertilising stonefruit in Autumn rather than in Spring because he thinks that Spring fertilising can affect fruit quality. I would say that you should apply your fertiliser in early Spring, say in early September.

  18. So should I fertilise my blueberry in a pot with cow manure from the nursery? It’s just a young plant and has grown quite a bit since the heat has gone. I am in eastern suburbs in Melbourne. Thank you.

    • Hi Anita,

      The short answer is “yes”. Manure is slow release so you are fertilising now to help next year’s growth.

  19. This is fantastic, BUT none of the commercially available fertilisers appear to fit any of the ratios above so its not that practical after all (unless you are advocating DIY fertilisers).

    • Hi Michelle,

      I agree with you. However, you can get pretty close if you mix a balanced fertiliser (N, P and K roughly equal to each other) with a high N fertiliser (P and K both zero, for example as in urea).

    • Hi everyone
      I’ve got 2 apple and mango and nectarine trees. Would multi-k potassium nitrate 13.5-0-46.2 would work and how much kg for young tree? They 1.2 meter tall.

      Cheers luke

  20. So what is the name of the best fertiliser for pomegranates growing in Brisbane? Thanks

    • When do I fertilise my feijoa tree in Perth . They are at the end of the fruiting season.
      David Leong

      • Hi David,

        Louis Glowinski says that you should fertilise feijoas in late Winter and that thery are heavy feeders. He recommends 200g of high nitrogen fertiliser (e.g. 22:5:8 NPK) per year of age. Per year of age, that’s around 500g of standard 3:3:3 NPK fertiliser plus 500g of pure nitrogen 8:0:0 NPK fertiliser.

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