Planting Your Fruit Tree

Select a site that is well drained, receives at least ½ day of sun, and if possible, is not fully exposed to strong spring/summer winds.

Dig a hole 2 to 3 times wider and no deeper than the pot your tree comes in.  Mix soil from the hole thoroughly with Back To Nature Compost at the rate of 3 parts soil to one part compost.  We recommend 3 agriform fertilizer tablets placed beside roots to feed the first season.

Slide the roots gently out of the pot, retaining soil on the roots if possible.  Set the tree into the hole so the graft is 2”-4” above the soil line.  If not grafted, set the roots so the soil level stays the same, do not put any deeper.  Fill around the roots with soil mix until the hole is almost full; fill with water to settle soil mix, then refill hole to top of roots and construct a small dike around planting hole sufficient to retain 3” of mulch, and cover root zone with Back to Nature Compost or cypress mulch.  Keep a 3’ to 4’ circle under the tree clear of grass and weeds for at least the first 3 years of growth.  If the tree is exposed to strong summer winds, stake with Takiron or other type of stake.

Water deeply once a week during growing season.  Use Green Light Root Stimulator for two months after planting.  With established trees, feed with Fruit, Citrus, and Pecan Food or Ammonium Sulfate in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.  A second and third application should follow in 6 week intervals.