Mid City Nursery - Fruit Tree Care Guide

FRUIT TREE CARE GUIDE

The information provided below is focused on deciduous varieties of fruit trees and fruiting vines. The recommendations are based on our Northern California climate and soil conditions. For other areas, timing and fertilizing schedules may vary. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us.

FERTILIZING SCHEDULE

Spring - Fall
Fertilize your fruit trees and fruiting vines as they emerge from dormancy. This is usually late February to March. We recommend using Master Start (5-20-10 with micronutrients) or the E.B. Stone Citrus & Fruit Tree Food. These fertilizers will help with fruit production and root development without encouraging too much growth. Fertilize once again in late spring after the fruit has set with Master Start. Fertilize once again in late summer to early fall to encourage new fruit wood for next year. A higher nitrogen fertilizer can be used at this time, especially if you need to stimulate more fruit wood. The Master Nursery Fruit Tree & Vine Food has 12 percent nitrogen to help encourage this type of growth.

Winter
Starting in late October to early November begin fertilizing your fruit trees and fruiting vines with Master Bloom(0-10-10) and F.S.T.(iron, sulfur, manganese, and zinc). These two products should be applied once a month through January. By applying these fertilizers during the winter months, you are helping build up the necessary nutrients that your trees and vines will need in the Spring as they emerge from dormancy so that they can flower and fruit well.

PRUNING SCHEDULE
There are different methods and time frames for pruning. For most homeowners, you will want to read Backyard Orchard Culture, this article discusses a new technique for keeping your trees smaller and more manageable. This requires late spring and late summer pruning, instead of winter pruning.
If you prefer traditional pruning methods, then prune while the trees are dormant(usually Dec - Jan.). A good book about traditional pruning of fruit trees is "How to Prune Fruit Trees". This book talks about almost every fruit tree and fruiting vine. It can be found at your local nursery.

WATERING SCHEDULE
Newly planted fruit trees should be watered once a week during the growing season(Spring - Fall). They may require more frequent watering during very hot periods. If you are using a drip system, then make sure water is covering the entire root area. This usually requires 2 or 3 drippers to be placed around the tree or the use of a bubbler style dripper. Watering in the winter months, when the tree is dormant, is only required when there has been extended periods of no rainfall. As fruit trees become older and more established, less frequent watering is required, about every 10 to 14 days. However, they may need to receive additional watering during hot summer days or sudden heat waves.

Mid City Nursery
3635 Broadway St.
American Canyon, CA 94503
midcity@midcitynursery.com