Plant Care
Regular Water -Very dependent on soil and
weather condition
Deep soak weekly when new, especially larger
plants
A soil basin helps to hold water , mulch also helps
hold moisture
Check plants daily, large plants or very full
plants will need more water
Do not let plants wilt- this kills roots -recover is
slow (some yellow leaves are to be
expected)
Keep moist until established (Ground cover or
small plants)
Hand water new plantings, in addition to
automated watering, for two to four
weeks, longer if hot & dry
If soil holds moisture (Clay), wait until surface
dries out, a couple of inches, check
with probe if unsure
Feeding
After 30 days - Feed Monthly with a general
purpose granular fertilizer (5-5-5 to
12-12-12) less in winter
Established Plants - Feed three times per year w/
granular fertilizer (or monthly
until healthy)
Containers -water soluble as least every two
weeks (Ex. - Miracle Grow)
Pruning
Lace (Thin artistically) as growth begins , do not
shear
Every 3 months to 2 years depending on species
Insects & Diseases (To reduce)
Right plant - right spot
Spray with water weekly to clean foliage
Keep laced for good air circulation
Fruit Tree Care: Citrus and Avocados
Feed three times per year w/ a balanced granular
fertilizer (12-12-12) 5lbs/ tree at
drip line )
Feed monthly if new or unhealthy, and continue
until established and healthy
Spray with water to reduce white fly
Keep laced (lightly opened up) for good air
circulation
An annual application of Iron (Citrus Growers
Mix), helps to keep fruit sweet
Fruit Tree Care: Peaches, Plums and other Stone
Fruits
Feed three times per year w/ a balanced granular
fertilizer (12-12-12) Spring-Summer- Fall
Feed monthly if new or unhealthy, and continue
until established and healthy
Stop feeding in the Fall as trees go dormant
Prune fairly hard in January, making thinning
cuts, and some heading back on
long shoots
Spray with a dormant spray after pruning and
again just before spring bud break
Spraying prevents peach leaf curl, and other
disease and insects that overwinter
on branches
Plums have a twig borer, and can be sprayed just
before bud break
Thin fruit at 1 " size so 1 fruit remains per 6" of
branch, this produces fewer, but
larger fruit
A thick application of mulch under trees annually
(Not around Trunk)
Conserves moisture
Suppress weeds
Decomposes to improve soil


Above courtesy of Tom Piergrossi.  Thanks Tom!