The Best Fertilizers of 2024 for Apple Trees in Backyards or Orchards
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Picking and eating a fresh apple right off the tree is one of fall’s greatest delights. Feeding the tree with the best fruit-tree fertilizer will help ensure a delicious harvest.
Most apple varieties mature in autumn when the temperatures start to moderate, and the bright greens of spring and summer give way to softer shades of tan and gold. Few things are more rewarding than picking a homegrown apple off the tree in your backyard and savoring its sweet tang. To get to that point, however, a few steps are necessary along the way: The grower must control unwanted pests by spraying the trees, provide water if it doesn’t rain, and—for the largest, tastiest apples—apply a fertilizer earlier in the season.
Brigitte Zettl, director of horticultural production at Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co., provided valuable insights about the key nutrients that should be considered essential in fertilizers for apple trees. She explained that the primary nutrients required for any plant are nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. “These macronutrients play many physiological roles in your tree, but the simplified explanation is that nitrogen promotes vegetative growth, phosphorus supports flowers and fruiting, and potassium builds strong healthy roots,” says Zettl.
Hundreds of fruit-fertilizerproducts are on the market, but not all are suitable for growing apples. Our preferred fertilizer for apple trees is the Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Plant Food Spikes. These easy-to-use spikes release nutrients directly into the root zone, promoting strong fruit, citrus, and palm trees.Ahead, learn what to look for when shopping for fertilizer and find out why the following products earned a spot on this lineup of the best fertilizers for apple trees.
- BEST OVERALL: Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Plant Food Spikes
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Nut Granular Plant Food
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR HEALTH: Humboldts Secret Supplies Golden Tree Additive
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BALANCED PICK: Southern Ag All-Purpose Granular Fertilizer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WITH MICROBES: Dr. Earth Natural Wonder Fruit Tree Fertilizer
↓ Jump to Review - MOST VERSATILE: Down to Earth All-Natural Organic Fruit Tree Mix
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Espoma Organic Tree-tone Fruit & Shade Tree Food
↓ Jump to Review
How We Chose the Best Fertilizer for Apple Trees
We conducted extensive research into dozens of today’s best-selling brands of fruit-tree fertilizers when considering the top picks for this list. We looked closely at national brands with stellar reputations, such as Jobe’s and Miracle-Gro. Still, we didn’t automatically eliminate smaller or niche brands if their products contained the nutrients known to boost apple tree health.
We considered both synthetic and natural formulations, price, and buyer satisfaction. The products also had to be straightforward and relatively easy to apply to make our final cut. We allowed for some measuring and mixing, but we didn’t select products that required calculating complex formulas or those unsuited to young and mature apple trees.
Our Top Picks
The best apple tree fertilizermay not be labeled exclusively for apple trees, but it will contain the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and fruit production. Most general fruit-tree fertilizersare highly beneficial for feeding apple trees. The following products are all well suited for use on apple trees for overall health and ample fruit production, even though they vary slightly in composition.
Best Overall
Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Plant Food Spikes
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Spikes
- NPK: 10-15-15
- Organic: No
What We Like
- Requires no mixing or measuring
- Provides continuous nutrient release
- Boosts health and blossom production
What We Don’t Like
- Spikes may break in hard soil
A healthy apple tree is one that will produce tasty fruits in the fall. Miracle-Gro’s Fruit and Citrus Plant Food Spikes, with a 10-15-15 NPK ratio, are designed to boost the tree’s overall health; help it resist stressful conditions, such as slight drought; and encourage blossom production.
The spikes contain some natural ingredients but are not certified as organic. Each package contains 12 spikes that can be driven into the ground using a hammer or mallet. The Miracle-Gro spikes dissolve gradually to provide a gentle but continuous supply of nutrients that the apple tree’s roots will absorb.
For the best results, position the spikes just below the tree’s dripline (the outside perimeter of its branches) and space them 3 feet apart. The total number of spikes needed will depend on the size of the tree. Use the spikes in spring and again in fall for year-round feeding
Get the Miracle-Gro fertilizer for apples trees at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Lowe’s.
Best Bang For The Buck
Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Nut Granular Plant Food
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Granular
- NPK: 3-5-5
- Organic: Yes
What We Like
- Enhances tree health significantly
- Promotes blossom production effectively
- Utilizes organic materials exclusively
- Offers affordability
What We Don’t Like
- Requires reapplication every 4 to 6 weeks
Growers and home orchardists don’t have to spend a lot to get a high-quality fruit-tree fertilizer that will boost apple production. Jobe’s Organics Fruit and Nut Granular Fertilizer features an NPK ratio of 3-5-5, formulated to encourage root development, reduce stress from extreme temperatures or drought, and boost overall tree health. Best of all, it’s budget-friendly.
The product comes in granulated form for sprinkling around the base of fruit, nut, or citrus trees, and it is suitable for fertilizing newly planted saplings and mature apple trees. The organic ingredients, including bone meal, are beneficial for all fruit trees, including apple trees. This is a relatively mild fertilizer, so plan on applying it every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season.
Get the Jobe’s fertilizer for apple trees at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Amazon.
Best For Health
Humboldts Secret Supplies Golden Tree Additive
Photo: amazon.com
Product Specs
- Type: Water-soluble granules
- NPK: 0-0-2
- Organic: No
What We Like
- Encourages tree health effectively
- Improves soil with quality ingredients
- Works well as spray or pour
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks actual nitrogen and phosphorus
Don’t let the 0-0-2 NPK ratio discourage you from trying Humboldts Secret Supplies Golden Tree Additive. While the product contains only potassium (not phosphorus or nitrogen fertilizer), the manufacturer has added other amendments not reflected in the NPK number, including kelp, carbs, and other trace minerals.
The potassium in Golden Tree Additive will help boost an apple tree’s overall health, while the other ingredients will improve soil quality and can increase the tree’s uptake of natural nutrients as well as the ability to utilize sunlight, rain, and air to its maximum benefit. The granular fertilizer is water-soluble and, once diluted as recommended on the package, can be either poured around the tree’s base, sprayed on its foliage, or both.
Get the Humboldts fertilizer for apple trees at Amazon or Humboldts.
Best Balanced Pick
Southern Ag All-Purpose Granular Fertilizer
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Granular
- NPK: 10-10-10
- Organic: No
What We Like
- Offers a balanced blend of nutrients
- Provides added trace minerals
- Is easy to apply
What We Don’t Like
- Requires measuring
For growers in search of a fertilizer that covers all bases, consider Southern Ag All- Purpose Fertilizer, which features a balanced 10-10-10 NPK ratio of nutrients. Southern Ag is well suited for improving tree growth, overall health, and fruit production with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also contains additional trace elements, including sulfur, boron, and zinc, that help replenish soil deficiencies.
Southern Ag fertilizer is a granular formulation that is made to sprinkle around the base of the tree. The grower then waters the area, which allows the fertilizer to dissolve and soak into the soil where the tree’s roots absorb it.
Get the Southern Ag fertilizer for apple trees at Amazon.
Best With Microbes
Dr. Earth Natural Wonder Fruit Tree Fertilizer
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Granular
- NPK: 5-5-2
- Organic: Yes
What We Like
- Made from natural ingredients
- Suitable fertilizer for fruit trees
- Provides a comprehensive mix of nutrients
What We Don’t Like
- Requires working into the soil
Those looking for an organic fertilizer that contains added nutrients need look no further than Dr. Earth Natural Wonder Fruit Tree Fertilizer. It features a 5-5-2 NPK ratio designed to boost tree and foliage growth and encourage abundant blossoms. In addition, Dr. Earth’s formulation includes microbes, probiotics, and prebiotics that improve soil quality and enhance the tree’s ability to absorb nutrients.
This is an organic blend and does not contain any synthetics, chemicals, or GMO ingredients. It’s suitable for use in an organic orchard and can be used on other fruit trees and bushes. The granules should be mixed with the soil when planting young apple trees and saplings. For established apple trees, they should be sprinkled around the dripline, worked into the ground, and then watered in.
Get the Dr. Earth fertilizer for apple trees at Lowe’s, The Home Depot (1 lb. bag), or Amazon.
Most Versatile
Down to Earth All-Natural Organic Fruit Tree Mix
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Granular
- NPK: 6-2-4
- Organic: Yes
What We Like
- Made from natural plant, animal, or mineral sources
- Provides primary nutrients plus added calcium
- Enhances soil health without the use of harmful chemicals
- Helps regulate calcium deficiencies
What We Don’t Like
- May require multiple applications
Down to Earth All-Natural Organic Fruit Tree Mix is a specialized fertilizer designed to cater to a diverse array of fruit trees, not limited to just apples. This unique blend is formulated to support all phases of tree growth, providing a balanced nutritional profile with an NPK ratio of 6-2-4, supplemented with added calcium to facilitate proper fruit development.
The organic composition of this fertilizer ensures that no harmful chemicals reach the fruit or the surrounding environment. However, regular applications are required to maintain optimal nutrient uptake levels due to its organic composition and granular nature. Therefore, it may require consistent effort and investment over time. Nonetheless, this fertilizer is highly acclaimed for its adaptability and ability to accommodate various fruit trees and environmental conditions. It is an ideal choice for gardeners looking for a comprehensive solution for their orchards.
Get the Down to Earth fertilizer for apple trees at Amazon.
Also Consider
Espoma Organic Tree-tone Fruit & Shade Tree Food
Photo: Amazon