What Is the Right Fertilizing Depth for Pear Trees? A Full Breakdown of the Best Fertilizing Times

In China, the planting area and production of pears are second only to apples, and one of the important factors affecting pear yield is the depth, timing and method of fertilizing, which will be introduced below.

1. Fertilizing depth and timing for pear trees

Before pear trees bud, a budding fertilizer is applied; during the flowering period, a boric acid solution is applied; in May and July of each year, the fertilizer applied is mainly potassium fertilizer; in June-July, a fruit-setting fertilizer is applied; in August-September, a fruit-swelling fertilizer is applied; and after fruit harvest is finished, a base fertilizer is applied. In addition, when applying organic fertilizer, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, keep the depth at 20-60cm, and simply follow the principles of applying base fertilizer deep and top dressing shallow, applying deep where roots are deep and shallow where roots are shallow.

2. Fertilizing methods for pear trees

1. Ring trench fertilizing

Dig a ring-shaped trench at a short distance outside the canopy edge and fertilize there; the trench depth depends on how deep the root system is distributed. This method is relatively simple and convenient, and is more suitable for fertilizing young trees.

2. Radial trench fertilizing

With the tree trunk as the center, dig 4~6 radial trenches at equal distances around the canopy. The trenches are 30 cm wide and 20~30 cm deep, and are required to be shallow on the inside and deep on the outside, with the trench length depending on the size of the tree.

3. Strip trench fertilizing

This method is one of the more widely used fertilizing methods in pear production and can be mechanized; specifically, trenches are opened between the rows of the pear orchard and fertilizer is applied. The trenches are 50 cm deep and 50 cm wide; after the fertilizer is applied, cover with soil and level it. This method can be used alternately with radial trench fertilizing every other year.

Pear tree fertilizing methods also include hole fertilizing, irrigation-type fertilizing and other methods. Growers can determine which to use according to on-site conditions, and may make appropriate adjustments for places where they do not wish to apply a given method.