Apricot trees are unique fruit trees that many homeowners enjoy planting in their backyards. These trees produce juicy, sweet apricots for people to eat fresh or dry out and use as winter treats. Apricot trees are also used for making jams, jellies, pies, and other desserts. But what happens when the apricot tree isn’t producing enough fruit? In this article, you’ll learn about the best fertilizer type to make your apricot tree healthier and more fruitful!
What are the benefits of using fertilizer on my apricot tree?
The benefits of fertilizing your apricot tree are twofold:
- It ensures the soil has all the nutrients it needs for healthy plant growth.
- A fertilizer promotes strong roots and can help overcome any nutrient deficiency issues, which could be preventing a fruit-bearing tree from producing as much fruit as possible.
When should you fertilize your apricot tree?
The best time to fertilize your apricot tree is in the early spring before new growth begins. This will give the fertilizer enough time to work its way into the soil and help promote a strong root system for maximum fruit production during harvest season!
Though it’s not typically necessary or recommended to apply more than one application of fertilizer per year, you may fertilize as much as three times depending on how fast your apricot trees grow and if there are any nutrient deficiencies detected by taking periodic soil samples.
- The first fertilization should take place at least 30 days after leaf-out takes place so that all winter nutrients have been depleted from the roots; this timing ensures any overfertilizing can be avoided.
- The second fertilization should take place in late summer, before the first harvest. This could be as early as July or August depending on where you live and if your apricot trees are located in a cooler climate zone that freezes during the winter—just keep an eye out for any nutrient deficiencies to determine when is best based on weather patterns.
- The third fertilization can happen anytime between September and October to help promote fruit production just before frost takes hold; this timing ensures overfertilizing will not occur again since it’s unlikely there would be another application of fertilizer until next year at a leaf-out time.
Keep these steps in mind so that you know how much NPK ratio to apply for each season!
Fertilizer application rates
There are many fertilizers to choose from. For apricot trees, a good fertilizer is one that contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The NPK ratio should be about:
- 15-27-0 for late summer and early fall
- 20-20-22 for springtime
- 26-23-14 for wintertime in cooler climates or anywhere else where the ground freezes during frosty months of the year.
For all seasons, use diluted amounts – enough so there are no visible clumps but not too much that it will drip through your hands. Follow these steps when applying any type of fertilizer!
Tips on how to maintain a healthy, happy apricot tree
- When planting, place the tree in well-drained soil.
- Plant at least a foot away from other trees or structures to allow for proper airflow and root space.
- Select an area that has full sun exposure without being too windy (wind can cause branches to break) or shaded by large buildings/rocks etcetera.
- Apricot trees should be watered thoroughly after fertilizing; do not overwater! Wet roots will suffer cutinization which means they won’t absorb nutrients as efficiently. Too much fertilizer applied is also dangerous because it could burn your plant’s roots leading to death if left untreated. Remember: Shoveling off any snow before watering is key!