Maximize Your Harvest with These Proven Tips from a Fruit-Growing Specialist
By Mike Visser | Agriculture & Garden Life
🍋 Want a Juicy Citrus Harvest? Feed Your Trees Right!
Citrus trees—beloved for their juicy lemons, sweet oranges, and zesty limes—don’t just thrive on sunshine. These fruit-bearing beauties are heavy feeders, and if you’re not fertilizing them at the right times, you’re likely missing out on their full potential. According to Dr. Michael Polozola of the Louisiana State University AgCenter, mastering the “when” and “how” of citrus fertilization could transform your garden into a citrus paradise.
📅 Fertilizing Calendar: Two Key Times That Matter
🌱 Late Winter Boost: January to March
“Fertilize once between January and March, depending on your climate zone,” advises Dr. Polozola.
This first dose, right after fruit harvest, replenishes the nutrients the tree used up and fuels the upcoming spring flush of growth.
👉 Use a balanced fertilizer like 8-8-8 or 13-13-13.
The goal here isn’t fruit, but strong root and shoot development.
🍊 Early Summer Feed: May to June
This second round encourages fruit setting—but caution is key. “Use a lighter touch,” Polozola warns. “Overdoing it can lead to leafy growth at the expense of fruit.”
👉 Switch to a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for this feeding. It promotes flowering and fruit formation without encouraging too much foliage.
📈 Feeding by the Numbers: Quantities That Grow With Your Tree
As your tree matures, its appetite does too. Here’s a growth-based guide:
🧪 Late Winter (Balanced Fertilizer)
- Year 1: ½ pound
- Add 1–1½ pounds yearly
- Year 12 & up: Cap at 12–18 pounds per tree
🧪 Early Summer (Nitrogen Fertilizer)
- Start at 1 pound in fruit-bearing years
- Add ¼ pound annually
- Cap at maturity (Year 12)
🌳 Application Technique: Feed the Roots, Not the Trunk
“Broadcast fertilizer under the tree canopy, but avoid the base of the trunk,” Polozola explains.
Create a circular band 12–18 inches wide around the tree’s dripline. Lightly scratch the fertilizer into the soil’s surface, then water thoroughly. This ensures that nutrients reach the feeder roots where they’re needed most.
🪴 What About Potted Citrus Trees?
If you’re growing citrus in containers:
- Use a water-soluble citrus fertilizer
- Fertilize every 6–8 weeks
- Watch for salt buildup and adjust watering accordingly
Potted trees are especially vulnerable to nutrient loss through leaching, so a more frequent, lighter feeding routine is best.
🧑🌾 Final Word: Feed Smart, Harvest Big
With the right schedule, right product, and right method, your citrus trees can reward you season after season. Fertilization is not just maintenance—it’s an investment in lush growth, abundant blossoms, and flavorful fruit.
🍊 QUICK TIPS SUMMARY
| Feeding Time | Fertilizer Type | Application Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Balanced (8-8-8) | Increase yearly by 1–1.5 lbs |
| May–June | High Nitrogen | Apply lightly, avoid overgrowth |
| Container Trees | Citrus-specific soluble | Feed every 6–8 weeks |
Grow with Confidence. Feed with Purpose.