Urban Farm's Nutrition Program
Welcome to our Nutrition Program Page. Below you will find sections for Fruit Trees and Gardens, each describing the three different ways to fertilize and have a seasonal application guide. You can count on this: We want you to succeed!
Methods of Application:
(3 ways to fertilize fruit trees)
Click to open each subsection.
*Fruit Trees in the Low Arizona Desert have specific dates for granular fertilization.
Portion out fertilizer and minerals, either by tree or by groups of trees, into large bucket and mix well. Dig several (3-7) trowel-sized holes in soil under mulch just inside drip line (edge of leaf canopy). Divide and bury granules among the holes. Replace soil and mulch. It is important to follow up with regular deep watering.
Fertilizer: 1 pound (2.5 cups) organic granular fertilizer per inch trunk diameter. We recommend BioFlora and Tank’s SuperMix as locally made organic fertilizer. Local pick up available.
Minerals: 1 pound of Azomite per tree, twice a year.
Granular Fertilizer: Four Application Dates For Fruit Trees In The Low Desert:
Valentine’s Day (mid-Feb)
Tax Day (mid-Apr)
Memorial Day (late May)
Labor Day (mid-Sep)
NOTE: This is Basic Level Care for all fruit trees in the Low Arizona Desert. Do not skip this process.
This is done year round in areas that the ground does not freeze.
For each tree: Prepare solution in a 5 gallon bucket with 4-5 gallons of water. Pour solution in basin along drip line (edge of leaf canopy). Follow with regular deep watering.
NOTE: For first year start with 5 oz Heart per tree to help kick start the bio life in your soil. Then for young trees use at least 3 oz per tree; for larger trees with larger basins work up to 5 oz per tree per month.
Optional, if not doing foliar spraying: This alternative will not produce as rapid or as strong results as directly foliar feeding, but will deliver the nutrients to the trees through the root system.
As a substitute for foliar feeding, add the appropriate foliar mixture described below (doubled for large trees) to the monthly drench solution.
Mix seasonal solution in a 1 or 2 gallon sprayer with water for easiest application. Spray solution on tops & bottoms of leaves, branches, and trunk. Do not spray on flowers. Avoid high heat, & freezes. Best in early morning or just before dusk when air temps around 70-75 degrees, not truly as effective over 85 degrees.
Levels of Care:
Intermediate: Be sure to foliar feed monthly. This is done in early morning on the hotter days, and at end of day on colder days.
Ultra Success: Feed your trees twice a month or every two weeks, you can reduce portions slightly. This will maximize your tree health and vitality.
We highly recommend HyKreations liquid amendments as locally made organic solutions which we offer in a special 4 quart bundle including 1 quart of Heart free. Both local pick up and shipping available.
HyKreations 1 capful = ~7ml. 6 caps = ~1oz
Seasonal Application Guide for Fruit Trees*:
(Dosage recipes)
*Specific date apply to Arizona Low Desert.
WINTER December, January, February
1 application in mid-February (Valentine’s Day) of organic fertilizer (measured per inch trunk). Follow with deep watering.
1 application per month, skip if ground is frozen. Prepare in large bucket and pour around the basin of the tree. Follow with a regular deep watering.
= 3 to 5 oz HEART / 5 gals water
1 or 2 applications per month, weather permitting. Avoid freezing temperatures. Apply to tops and bottoms of leaves just before dusk to avoid direct sunlight on droplets. Good for trunks & limbs too.
= 5 ml ESSENCE and 15 ml SOUL / 1 gal water
(1 capful ESSENCE and 3 capfuls SOUL)
SPRING March, April, May
1 application in mid-April (Tax day) of organic fertilizer (measured per inch trunk) and for added nutrition add 1 pound of Azomite per tree. Follow with deep watering.
1 application in end of May (Memorial Day) of organic fertilizer (measured per inch trunk). Then deep water.
1 application per month. Prepare in large bucket and pour around the basin of the tree. Follow with a regular deep watering.
= 3 to 5 oz HEART / 5 gals water
2 applications per month, weather permitting.
For best fruit production start spray applications at bud break / bud swell. Stop all foliar feeding while flowers are present, and resume once fruit has set/formed. Apply just before dawn or dusk. When high temps arrive, switch to early AM only. Stop foliar feedings 2 weeks before harvest.
= 1 oz NOBLE GILLS and 1 oz SOUL / 1 gal water
Note: Using Noble Gills before flowering will improve fruit set. Use this recipe for any fruit tree the whole month before flowering regardless of month/season.
SUMMER June, July, August
No fertilizer applications. Be sure to watch your watering schedule and increase frequency.
1 application per month. Prepare in large bucket and pour around the basin of the tree. Follow with a regular deep watering.
= 3 to 5 oz HEART / 5 gals water
1 or 2 applications per month, weather permitting. Avoid extreme heat, triple digit weather and direct sunlight. Switch to just drench applications if early morning temps stay above 85 degrees.
= 5 ml ESSENCE and 15 ml SOUL / 1 gal water
(1 capful ESSENCE and 3 capfuls SOUL)
FALL September, October, November
1 application in mid-September (Labor Day) of organic fertilizer (measured per inch trunk) and for added nutrition add 1 pound of Azomite per tree. Follow with deep watering.
1 application per month. Prepare in large bucket and pour around the basin of the tree. Follow with a regular deep watering.
= 3 to 5 oz HEART / 5 gals water
2 applications per month starting when early morning temps dip below 85 degrees. Avoid extreme heat, triple digit weather & direct sunlight.
= 5 ml ESSENCE and 15 ml SOUL / 1 gal water
Methods of Application:
(3 ways to fertilize your gardens)
Rejuvenate gardens 2-3 times a year. Side dress high-water use crops like tomatoes every 2 weeks when they are fruiting.
Application methods:
Whole garden rejuvenation: Mix organic fertilizer & minerals together with new compost or soil in wheel barrow. Spread over garden area and mix in lightly. Water well and let rest before planting.
Side Dressing or small area feeding. Dig several small holes in soil around vegetables, near edge of plants. Divide mix among the holes. Cover back with soil and mulch. Follow up with regular watering.
Ratios per 10 sq feet of garden space:
Fertilizer: 1/2 Cup organic granular fertilizer. We recommend BioFlora and Tank’s SuperMix as locally made (in AZ) organic fertilizer. Local pick up available.
Minerals: 2 cups of Azomite. We recommend granules
1-2 applications per month once crops are 4 inches or larger. Apply between plants around root zone, follow with regular watering.
Do not drench if soil is too cold to work.
Ratios Per 10 Sq Feet Of Garden Space:
1 capful each of preferred combination in one gallon water
Use one or both nutrients NOBLE GILLS & ESSENCE, plus one or both acid formulas HEART & SOUL. (At least one nutrient, and at least one acid).
Optional if not doing foliar spraying as well: This will not produce as rapid or as strong results as directly foliar feeding but will deliver the nutrients to the plants through the root system. As a substitute for foliar feeding add the foliar mixture to the drench solution.
1 application per week, weather permitting. Spray solution on tops & bottoms of leaves & branches until dripping from leaves. Do not spray flowers, resume once fruit has set/formed. AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT, high heat, & freezes. Best when air temps around 70-75°. Stop foliar feedings two weeks before harvest. Pour remaining solution in soil. (Half this dosage in ½ gallon for smaller gardens.)
Portions:
In one gallon of water mix 2 capfuls each of: Noble Gills, Essence, and Soul
We highly recommend HyKreations liquid amendments as locally made organic solutions which we offer in a special 4 quart bundle including 1 quart of Heart free. Both local pick up and shipping available.
HyKreations 1 capful = ~7ml. 6 caps = ~1oz
We highly recommend HyKreations liquid amendments as locally made organic solutions which we offer in a special 4 quart bundle including 1 quart of Heart free. Both local pick up and shipping available.
Seasonal Application Guide for Garden Beds:
(Dosage recipes)
WINTER
December, January, February
Mix into soil before planting winter crops.
Use all four liquids if you have them, or mix your preferred solution. Apply before normal watering.
Apply just before dusk. Do not apply during or before freezing temps. Avoid freezing temperatures. Apply to tops and bottoms of leaves just before dusk to avoid direct sunlight on droplets.
SPRING
March, April, May
Mix into soil before planting spring crops.
Use all four liquids if you have them, or mix your preferred solution. Apply before normal watering.
Apply just before dusk. Do not apply during or before freezing temps. Avoid freezing temperatures. Apply to tops and bottoms of leaves just before dusk to avoid direct sunlight on droplets.
SUMMER
June, July, August
Mix into soil before planting summer crops to help rejuvenate the soil.
Use all four liquids if you have them, or mix your preferred solution. Apply before normal watering.
Apply just before dawn. Avoid extreme heat & triple digit weather. Switch to only using drench applications if early morning temps stay above 85 degrees.
FALL
September, October, November
Mix into soil before planting fall crops.
Use all four liquids if you have them or mix your preferred solution. Apply before normal watering
Start when early morning temps dip below 80 degrees. Avoid extreme heat, triple digit weather, & let dry before direct sun contact. Stop foliar feedings 2 weeks before harvest.
A little note about our Fruit Tree Education Program.
We have have been creating fruit tree educational content for several decades. A few years ago we started gathering all this in our Fruit Tree Member Resources area in an online portal which is available to anyone who has purchased fruit trees from us through our Store. This member resources area includes a full contingent of educational videos and most of our PDF resources that can be downloaded. We encourage you to check it out by clicking HERE.
Note: Portal access is separate from our online store so you may need to create a new password for that area. Access is free and granted automatically for anyone who has purchased trees or supplies through our Online Store. This is the same portal that houses all of the Urban Farm U courses like Jump Start Your Urban Farm and Growing Food The Basics.
