Let’s talk about Fall fertilizers. I am including some suggestions here from Norma Connolly, a friend who has some knowledge about this:
Potassium: Associated with better fruit color, and more sugar, this is something best applied in the Fall because it does not move quickly in the soil. Consult with your local nursery about amounts to use for your particular tree.
Micronutrients: If one can obtain Azomite, this would be great. Email donricks@hotmail.com if you are interested in how to obtain this and I may refer you to Norma or to another source.
Liming: Dolomite lime is usually a good addition in our highly acidic, rainy Seattle soils. But the best way to be sure you are adding the right amount is to make sure you have first tested the PH of the soil yourself. Test by digging down 8 inches and then get your soil from there. By adding lime, some nutrients like potassium will sometimes become more available. Application rate for 100 square feet would be about 4.5 pounds of lime for each rise of one PH point you hope to achieve.
Nitrogen: sometimes good for trees with low vigor but NOT good for Fall application. Wait until Spring if you think you need to make the trees more vigorous. Heavily pruned trees will probably NOT require nitrogen even then as they are already putting out too much “sucker” type growth.
Phosphorus: This product can help with flowering, but unfortunately, the best time to have applied this was by putting in the soil before the tree has grown and has become well established.
Make all applications evenly and work in the soil and be sure to have fun….otherwise, what’s the point?
