How to fertilize apple and pear trees in spring, summer, and autumn

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To ensure a good autumn harvest, trees need to be cared for year-round. Timely and proper fertilization is a crucial component of garden crop care. An excess of nutrients negatively impacts the health of apple and pear trees, just as a deficiency does. Therefore, fertilization must be approached with the utmost responsibility.

Content

Types of fertilizers and principles of their application
Recommended standards
Fertilizer application algorithm
Fertilizing methods
- Application under the roots
  - Liquid
  - Dry
- Foliar method
Principles of feeding for different ages
Potential consequences of nutrient overload

Types of fertilizers and principles of their application

For full development and abundant fruiting, fruit crops need to be fed with a combination of macro- and micronutrients. The most important of these include:

Phosphorus – stimulates root growth and strengthens it. Furthermore, it increases the number of flowers and fruit buds on trees.
Nitrogen – promotes the growth of green mass.
Potassium – strengthens the immune system, increases winter hardiness, which has a positive effect on crop yields.

Preparations containing the listed elements can be of two types: organic and inorganic. Organic preparations include:

bird droppings;
green manure;
liquid manure;
peat mixtures;
humus.

Experienced gardeners use compost prepared from various plant waste as organic fertilizer.

The following inorganic compounds are distinguished:

potassium (for fruit trees, potassium or its salts are especially preferable);
nitrogenous – ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium sulfate;
phosphorus – superphosphates;
complex compositions containing phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen in varying proportions – ammophos, nitroammophosphate, nitrophos, etc.

Store-bought bird droppings contain a large amount of nitrogen, so overuse of this fertilizer can negatively affect the health of tree roots.

During spring fertilization, the soil is supplied with the annual nitrogen requirement and two-thirds of its phosphorus and potassium. During the summer, applying nitrogen promotes excessive growth of green mass, which reduces yield and frost resistance. Furthermore, summer nitrogen fertilization increases nitrate levels in fruits.

Preparations with the maximum amount of phosphorus and potassium remove accumulated nitrogen compounds from trees in a short period of time.

Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are best applied to the soil in summer and fall. Using them in large quantities in spring is highly undesirable due to the high risk of apple and pear tree diseases.

When choosing spring fertilizer, it is necessary to take into account the soil type, for example:

for sandy and sandy loam soils – nitrogen compounds, compost, humus, mullein;
for clay and loam soils - alternating potassium and phosphorus compounds in moderate quantities;
for limestone – organic matter and potassium preparations.

Since black soil contains sufficient nitrogen, additional nitrogen additions are not necessary. Sawdust or sand can be used to loosen this type of soil. Peat can also be added, but in limited quantities to avoid increasing soil acidity.

It is recommended to add dolomite or bone meal to acidified soil; spring is the best time for this procedure.

Recommended standards

When using store-bought mineral concentrates, strictly adhere to the dosages stated on the manufacturer's packaging. The recommended dosage for organic compounds is 3 to 8 kg per 1 m.² The tree trunk circle is adjusted to the soil type and age of the fruit tree. Liquid fertilizer is applied at a rate of 3-4 buckets under each trunk.

If you have any doubts about the amount of fertilizer to be applied, it is better to reduce the amount rather than exceed it, since an excess of preparations leads to root burns and tree diseases.

Fertilizer application algorithm

Top dressing Apple and pear trees require fertilization throughout the growing season. Nutrients can be supplied to the trees through both root and non-root methods.

In the spring

The first feeding is done on bare branches—before the green tops appear. This typically occurs in March, after the snow melts and the trees awaken. At this time, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are primarily applied to the roots, stimulating the trees' growth mechanisms.

Before flowering

Typically the following are used as early fertilizers:

ammonium nitrate – when working with the preparation, take into account the age of the garden: to feed 1 adult tree, dilute 40 g of the substance in 10 liters of water, for a young tree – 20 g;
potassium sulfate – regardless of the age of fruit crops, dilute with water in a ratio of 5 g per 5 l;
ammonium sulfate – if this fertilizer is used simultaneously with other nitrogen-containing compounds, then 15 g of it will be needed for 5 liters of water; if the preparation acts as the main fertilizer, then 25 g of powder will be needed for every 5 liters.

During the loosening process, fertilizing solutions are added to the soil.

During flowering

During the garden's flowering period, nitrogen-containing mixtures are used for fertilizing. The most common options include (the dosage is calculated per tree):

urea – 600 g;
nitroammophoska or ammonium nitrate – 40 g;
humus – 5-6 buckets.

Each of them is introduced into the tree trunk circle during the process of digging around the perimeter of the crown.

After flowering

During the fruit ripening period, garden crops are fed with one of the following liquid agents:

sodium humate and nitrophoska diluted with water;
composition of potassium sulfate (70 g) and superphosphate (100 g);
chicken manure (2 l);
slurry (1/2 bucket);
urea (300 g).

More than 3 buckets of liquid should be applied under each tree. Partially replacing root feeding with foliar feeding is acceptable. In this case, urea will be sufficient.

Foliar feeding is carried out after the green cone has fully formed; the preparation, absorbed by the leaves, eventually reaches the root system.

In summer

During flowering, fruit trees draw large amounts of nutrients from the soil, so after this phase, they require fertilizing. The first summer fertilizing is done 14 days after the flowers fall. This typically occurs in the first or second ten days of June.

At the early stage of fruit formation, potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus are added to the soil. Organic matter, such as chicken manure or manure aged for at least four months, is used as a nitrogen source.

The manure is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:6 and the mixture is poured onto the trunk circles of apple and pear trees.

Before adding liquid manure to the soil, it is necessary to first pour 20 to 40 liters (depending on age) of ordinary water under the trunk of each tree.

The consumption of mullein is as follows:

for trees up to 5 years old – 10 l;
for adult specimens – 20 l.

The dosage of bird droppings diluted with water in a ratio of 1:12 is as follows:

for young crops – 5 l;
for an adult – 10 l.

The rate of potassium and phosphorus fertilizers applied after the flowering period is 10 g of each type for each year of life, but the total dose should not exceed 100 g.

The second summer feeding is carried out 20 days after the first one.It usually occurs at the end of June or the beginning of July. At this time, apple and pear trees no longer require nitrogen and organic matter: during the ripening process, the trees require potassium and phosphorus. Fertilizers are applied after a heavy glaze, adhering to the following rule:

phosphorus compounds – 15 g for each year of the crop’s life, but not more than 150 g;
potassium – 10 g (but not more than 100 g per trunk).

During the second feeding, in addition to potassium and phosphorus, calcium nitrate is added to the soil, diluted with water in a ratio of 35 g per 10 l.

The third feeding is done in late July or early August. This involves using calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilizers are applied no later than 20 days before harvest.

In the fall

Every year in September by 1 m² Add 30 g of potassium sulfate to the tree trunk circle. A complex autumn fertilizer is also useful at this time; the application rate is indicated on the packaging.

Fertilizers applied in the fall should not contain nitrogen, since the purpose of fertilizing is to prepare trees for winter.

Despite the fact that in October the orchard no longer needs fertilizing, watering followed by mulching At this time, compost or humus is very important. Mulch is used: in the spring, these substances provide additional nutrition to the trees.

Fertilizing methods

To ensure trees fully absorb nutrients, they must be applied correctly. Typically, root and foliar feeding are alternated.

Application under the roots

This method involves applying fertilizer to the soil around the tree trunk, with the area being treated being 2 meters larger than the tree's crown diameter. Dry and liquid fertilizers are used for this procedure.

Liquid

Liquid preparations are applied to a pre-prepared circular furrow up to 40 cm deep and 30 cm wide. For fertilizing dwarf species, the furrows are made shallower.

This method cannot be used for columnar trees, as their roots are located too close to the surface and will be damaged when digging a furrow.

Liquid compositions can also be poured into dug wells with a depth of 50 cm. For this purpose, a crowbar or a drill is used, per 1 m² There are 2-3 such holes per tree trunk. Before applying nutrients, it's advisable to dissolve dry fertilizer granules in warm water beforehand to prevent them from settling.

Dry

Water the plant thoroughly 1-2 hours before applying the nutrient solution, and then sprinkle the fertilizer around the tree trunk. In dry weather, repeat the watering after this procedure.

When using ammonium nitrate, lightly dig it in; otherwise, it loses some of its nitrogen when exposed to air. Regular loosening of the soil ensures the fertilizer is fully absorbed.

Foliar method

This method is used as a supplement. It is typically useful when fruit crops suffer from nutrient deficiencies. Foliar feeding is performed after the green mass has formed. Dry, windless weather is recommended for spraying. To avoid leaf burn, early morning or evening after 8:00 PM is recommended. During the day, this procedure is only acceptable in cloudy weather when rain is not expected. Foliar feeding is typically performed using ash dissolved in water at a ratio of 250 ml per 10 liters, or urea – 30 g per 10 l. These compounds strengthen trees and simultaneously destroy harmful insects.

They also use ready-made drugs purchased in the store, for example:

Plantafid;
"Aquarin";
"Agromaster".

Principles of feeding for different ages

If all necessary nutrients were added to the seedling hole during planting, no additional feeding is required for the first three years. Using root growth and development stimulators, such as Kornevin, will be sufficient. Additionally, phosphorus supplements are acceptable, but nitrogen-containing fertilizers should be avoided during this period.

At the age of 15 years, apple and pear trees need fertilizing, even when growing in fertile soil.

Potential consequences of nutrient overload

Excess fertilizer application increases the risk of developing a problem called bitter pit, which is associated with a calcium deficiency in the pulp of pears and apples. This disease typically develops due to high levels of magnesium, potassium, and nitrogen in the soil. The condition is observed during fruit ripening or in the first few weeks after harvest.

The problem can be prevented by strictly following spring fertilization, taking into account the soil composition. If necessary, reduce the frequency and rate of application. Foliar sprays with the following compounds can also help reduce the risk of disease:

calcium nitrate;
chelate preparation "KompleMet-SA";
calcium chloride.

With proper fertilization and adherence to the correct schedule and standards, apple and pear trees will delight you with their abundant and high-quality harvest for many years.