Are you searching for the best fertilizer for fig trees? If so, we have found a few options that we know you will like.
Known for their iconic, deeply lobed, large leaves, fig trees are amongst some of the easiest fruiting trees to grow in your garden. Their easy-going nature means they grow happily in either potted containers or directly in the ground making them perfect for a range of climatic conditions and gardeners.
One of the most important aspects of growing figs is to give them fertile soil and a steady supply of nutrients.
For that reason, let’s take a look at some of the best plant foods for fig trees.
What is the best fertilizer for fig trees?
The answer is that fig trees require a well-balanced fertilizer that includes the 3 main nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. In addition, a slow release is preferred over a quick release and lastly, organic plant food is going to be better for the soil.
Here is a preview of my top 5 choices. For more information on each, please keep reading below.
- Dr. Earth Organic
- Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer
- Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Spikes
- EZ-Gro Citrus Tree Fertilizer
- Down To Earth Organic Fruit Tree Plant Food.
What makes a good fertilizer for fig trees?
Before we talk about some great plant foods, let’s talk about what to look for in a good one. To begin with, let’s talk a little bit about fertilizer and what are the key ingredients to make it effective.
There are certain nutrients classified as essential for all plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, boron, chlorine, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and nickel.
These fifteen nutrients aid in all of the basic, yet critical, functions that occur within plants.
Even if all other conditions are met, and all other nutrients are available, if there is one of these essential nutrients lacking, plants will begin to exhibit negative deficiency symptoms.
If the deficiencies are left untreated, the plant will succumb to the shortcoming and perish. Hence why it is so important to make sure plants receive the nutrition they need.
Since plants are constantly feeding on the essential nutrients found in the soil they can deplete even the most fertile substrates over time, making it necessary for the homeowner to add plant “food” to grow strong, healthy plants.
Fertilizers add these nutrients to the soil and are classified based on the three main elements that are needed in much higher amounts than the other essential nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Nitrogen is listed first on the fertilizer label since it is considered the most key nutrient needed for plant growth. Its main responsibility in the plant is regulating vegetative growth.
Nitrogen is assimilated in the plant into amino acids, the building blocks of protein; it is also a major component of chlorophyll and helps to keep foliage green, and nitrogen is necessary for many of the plant’s enzymatic reactions.
Phosphorus is a structural component in DNA and RNA (the genetic building blocks within plant cells) and is needed for root growth and flowering.
Potassium works more indirectly in plants than nitrogen and phosphorus. While it isn’t a component of any plant parts, it functions by activating the enzymatic reactions that occur, making it imperative for the overall health of the plant.
Now let’s talk about fig trees…
When selecting the best fertilizer for your fig tree, you have many options available.
Fruit tree fertilizers come in both conventional and organic formulations as well as powders, liquids, and tree spikes.
Powders and spikes tend to be slow-release meaning they feed your plant a little bit over a long period. A slow-release option is often better because it prevents you from overfeeding your figs.
Next, an organic fertilizer is often better than a conventional one because they tend to be slow release as well. In addition, because they are made from all-natural products they condition the soil around the tree making the plant and soil healthy.
The following are all high-quality, well-reviewed products that offer a variety of application methods to suit your individual needs.
The Best Fertilizer For Fig Trees
Dr. Earth Organic Fruit Tree Plant Food
Features:
- Organic Powder
- Slow release
- No GMOs
- Nutrient Ratio: 7-4-2
- Feeds for several months
The first plant food that I would recommend for your figs is Dr. Earth Organic Fruit Tree Fertilizer.
This is an organic powder that can be applied to the base of your tree. Additionally, because it is a solid and not a liquid it is absorbed at a slower rate and thus can be classified as slow release.
And yes, it is organic, just check out what this stuff is made of.
It is made up of a superior blend of feather meal, fishbone meal, cottonseed meal, kelp meal, alfalfa meal, soft rock phosphate, mined potassium sulfate, seaweed extract, probiotics, seven strains of beneficial soil microbes, and mycorrhizae.
Nutrients are released quickly from the fertilizer and are easily available for uptake; trees are fed a continuous amount of high-quality nutrients for several months.
The natural, organic 7-4-2 ratio of N-P-K results in strong root development and more abundant fruit sets.
Application tips: For established fig-trees, use 1 cup of fertilizer for every inch of trunk diameter (measured 4”– 6” above the soil line).
Gently work into the soil making sure to not go outside the drip line of the tree; then water thoroughly to move the fertilizer through to the root zone of the tree.
Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus
Features:
- OMRI certified organic
- Granular
- Contains Biozome
- Nutrient Ratio: 3-5-5
- Apply every 2 to 3 months
Next on our list is an OMRI-certified organic, granular fertilizer, Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer is specially formulated to provide fruit-bearing plants the nutrients they need to yield abundant, healthy fruit.
It contains Biozome, bone meal, feather meal, potash, and manure with an N-P-K ratio of 3-5-5.
Biozome is a proprietary product containing a combination of healthy bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and microorganisms that help to improve soil texture, and also increase water infiltration and retention.
Application Tips: Apply this plant food every 2-3 months at the recommended rate on the product label for optimum results.
Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Spikes
Features:
- Slow release
- Single Application – once in in the spring, once in the fall
- Nutrient Ratio: 10-15-10
No list of the best fertilizer for fig trees would be complete without mentioning at least one Miracle-Gro product, for that reason the next on my list is the Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spikes.
Fertilizer spikes are a simple way to provide fruit trees with the nutrients they need for a season in a single application. Miracle-Gro products are tried and true, known to be industry leaders for their quality and effectiveness.
Their Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spikes are specially formulated for fruit and citrus trees with an N-P-K ratio of 10-15-15 to release nutrients directly into the root zone.
Application tips: To encourage the best growth possible in your fig trees, gently drive spikes into the soil at the edge of the drip line, spacing them about 3 feet apart.
When and How often should I use these spikes?
A spring application will feed trees during the most critical growing time of the year as they consume energy to push out new leaves and form flowers; fertilizing again in the fall will help to strengthen plants to head into the colder winter months.
These spikes will promote lush, green foliage and enhanced fruit production.
How many spikes should I use?
The number of spikes that are needed is determined by the diameter of the drip line. The drip line is the circumference of the tree’s branches. So the bigger the drip line the more spikes you will need.
For example, a small tree with a drip line of 4 feet will only need 1 spike. However, a larger tree with a drip line of 12 feet will need 10 spikes.
On the back of the package, it will give you exact details of how many spikes your fig tree requires.
EZ-Gro Citrus Free
Features:
- High potassium
- Nutrient Ratio: 20-3-19
- Liquid
Potassium works in plants to promote vigor and disease resistance and is crucial for bud and fruit development in trees. For that reason, we love the next option on our list, EZ-Gro Citrus Tree Fertilizer.
This is a high potassium fertilizer source (20-3-19) that will help to improve the overall health of your plant. In addition, the added potassium will help to promote more yield or in this case, more fruit.
Who wouldn’t like to see more fruit on their trees?
Lastly, it is a liquid fertilizer making it easy to apply.
Application tips: Simply, follow the instructions to dilute the concentrate with water, making sure to mix thoroughly. Apply the recommended amount of diluted solution to fruit trees either as a foliar spray or directly to the soil at the base of the tree.
Quick Tip: Banana peels are high in potassium and can be used as a natural fertilizer when the soil is lacking this nutrient.
Down To Earth Organic Fruit Tree Plant Food
Features:
- Organic
- OMRI-certified
- Nutrient Ratio: 6-2-4
- Added calcium for fruit development
The last on our list is an organic OMRI-certified fertilizer. It is Down To Earth Organic Fruit Tree Plant Food.
To begin with, let’s take a look at some of the ingredients. This blend contains, fish bone meal, feather meal, carbonate, langbeinite, potassium sulfate, alfalfa meal, and kelp meal. In addition, it contains added calcium which is very good when used with a tree or plant that yields fruit.
The added calcium and the higher amount of potassium will help to promote better fruit development.
Application tips: Apply one cup of plant food per inch of the trunk diameter to the soil around the tree. Start about one food from the tree and work your way outward. Apply the plant food just after blooming finishes in the spring.
Final Thoughts…
Growing a fig tree in your home garden is incredibly easy.
Figs are thought to be one of the easiest fruit trees to grow and do well in both potted containers and in the ground as long as they have fertile soil and are fertilized with a high-quality fertilizer.
In this post, we have listed such plant food that will provide your fig tree with the essential nutrients it needs for optimal growth.
Please share with us your experience, what do you think is the best fertilizer for fig trees?
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