Fertilizing Deciduous Fruit Trees

Question from Jane:
When do I fertilize my fruit trees and what do you recommend? Thank you

I live in Fallbrook

Answer from Pat:
No, I do no suggest bloodmeal as the best fertilizer for deciduous fruit trees. It is strong nitrogen and can burn. Not right thing at all. I suggested it as one way to go when feeding avocados, which are heavy feeders. (See February chapter for details.) I suggest several different ways to fertilize deciduous fruit trees. I am truly sorry I can’t repeat two columns of detailed advice here, though I would find a way distill it down and give you a complete answer if I were in better shape. You may have noticed that my answers to questions have been a little shorter the last few days. I’m making them succinct as possible due to fact i’m home with a nurse after total reverse replacement of left shoulder and I’m typing with one finger to keep up my blog every day. My left arm is immobilized until shoulder heals.

My new organic book is available online or at any book store. Why don’t you go to a library or a bookstore and read up on this subject on pages 86 and 87? You have plenty of time to do this since you do not need this information until next February. Now is not the time. If our odd weather has produced blossoms on your trees that does not mean to feed now. Now is the time to encourage your trees go into dormancy. Feeding now would produce a surge of growth, the opposite of what you want.