Prepare Soil for Fruit Trees
Fruit trees need a specific type of soil, sunlight and food to be productive; however, not all fruit trees have the same requirements. Using resources such as your local nursery and online searches, you can find out what your particular type of fruit tree requires before planting and prepare your planting area and soil specifically for that tree. This will help ensure a healthy tree that produces a lot of fruit for you, year after year.
Contents
[hide]Steps
- Prepare a site for your tree that receives full sunlight for 6 to 8 hours each day.
- Rototill or otherwise dig up (rip) any poor soil (less than about 3 feet [1 m] of topsoil) to improve drainage to approximately 18 inches (45 cm) deep. This helps ensure proper drainage and also prevent erosion.
- Make mounds of tree planting areas if your topsoil is not deep enough to drain properly.
- Add crops that will add nutrients to the soil after they die, such as "green manure crops." You can find out which crops are nutrient providers by researching them on the Internet.
- Add a wind break of trees if planting a large number of fruit trees or orchard along all sides that are most exposed to wind and storms. This will vary depending on the geographic area. Be sure to leave 1 side open for proper air circulation.
- Water the root ball of your trees several hours before you plant.
- Water the planting site thoroughly before planting.
- Choose a site that is a bit higher than the rest of your yard, if possible, to ensure proper drainage.
- Prepare an area for your tree that is at least 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter and 1 foot (0.3 m) deep and apply nutrients to the soil. This should be done approximately 2 seasons before you intend to plant your tree.
- Retest the soil for the proper pH and add fertilizers that will bring it into balance.
- Ensure that the soil can properly drain; you can test this by digging a hole that is 30 inches (76.2 cm) deep and filling it with water. The water should drain approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) in 2 hours.
- Prepare an area for your tree that is at least 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter and 1 foot (0.3 m) deep and apply nutrients to the soil. Note that this is the area around the hole and not the hole itself.
- Check the acid content or "pH" of your soil; different fruit trees require different pH values. For example, peaches need a pH of 6.5; however, citrus fruit trees can thrive in any type of soil.
- Fill the hole that you dug for your tree with humus (a natural compost that has stabilized and will not break further down), the removed soil and a proper amendment soil mixture for nutrients.
Apples
- Select a site that has good drainage and air circulation, such as slopes, so that cold air will be directed away from the apple buds (apples are fall producers).
- Ensure that the soil can properly drain; you can test this by digging a hole that is 30 inches (76.2 cm) deep and filling it with water. The water should drain approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) in 2 hours.
- Prepare an area for your tree that is at least 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter and 1 foot (0.3 m) deep and apply nutrients to the soil. Note that this is the area around the hole and not the hole itself.
- Test your soil and ensure that the pH and type of soil are adequate for your species of apple tree. You can take test samples to your local nursery or county agricultural extensions for information.
- Add any amendments necessary to the soil at least 12 to 18 inches (30.5 to 45.7 cm) deep.
Tips
- Compacted soil must be broken up before planting and preparing the area for your fruit trees. It is best to till the soil very deep and wide so that the root system of the tree does not have to struggle to branch out. The hole that you dig for your tree should be approximately twice that of the width of the roots but only to the root-ball depth measurement to prevent the tree from further settling below the root "crown." It is also best to avoid adding harsh fertilizers (check with your nursery or extension center) to the soil before planting as they can damage young tree roots. You can apply a slow-releasing fertilizer.
Things You'll Need
- Fruit trees
- Soil test kit
- Garden tools such as shovels, rototiller and hoe
- Garden hose and water source
- Soil amendment products, fertilizer, humus and mulch
