When to fertilize mango trees | Spring, Summer + Organics

Mango trees should be fertilized with a nitrogen rich fertilizer at the beginning of spring and when first planting out new trees. Switch to a fruit promoting fertilizer in Summer to help to increase the ratio of potassium to nitrogen to encourage the tree to set and ripen their fruit.

This article will explore all you need to know about when you should fertilize your mango tree, when to fertilize your trees and what choices you have when it comes to fertilizing mango trees.

How to fertilize mango trees when first planting

Add nitrogen rich fertilizer when first planting and at the beginning of spring.

When you first plant out a new mango tree slow releasing soil improvers like aged cow manure and compost can be mixed into the soil. These are high in carbon and will also have a range of nutrients that will be broken down by soil bacteria and released for the plant.

When planting your mango tree in the ground or container, sprinkle some pelleted chicken manure on the surface of the soil to feed the plant. This can be covered with mulch and then watered in well. This will give the plant a nitrogen boost to encourage new leaf growth.

How to fertilize mango trees in early spring

When the weather starts to warm and the sun starts to show again in Spring, this is the time to add more fertilizer. Add a high nitrogen fertilizer like pelleted chicken manure or liquid fertilizer to feed the plant.

After the winter months the growth of the mango tree would have slowed and it will be ready to add new leaves and stems in spring. Give the plant some extra nitrogen to help with this new growth and avoid yellowing leaves.

How to fertilize mango trees in Summer         

In late spring and early summer it is time to add a high potassium fruit promoting fertilizer to your mango trees. This will switch the ratio of nutrients high nitrogen to high potassium stimulating the plant to set and ripen fruit.

Check out this mango fertilizer from Amazon.

Fertilizing mango trees in Winter

Many gardeners wonder what fertilizer to add to their mango tree in Winter and the answer is none. Mango trees that are grown in good quality soil, have been fertilized in spring and summer will have enough nutrients to keep them going over winter.

Mango trees will put on very little growth over winter months. Even in subtropical and tropical areas mangoes will not grow very much at all.

I planted my mango seedling tree in Fall, added extra aged cow manure and compost to the soil before planting and it did almost nothing over winter.

In Spring it is slowly getting ready to burst out with new leaves with a bud forming in the center. For mangoes grown in full sun they will be growing new leaves in very early spring and flowers shortly after.

A high potassium fertilizer given to the mango tree in spring will also contain minerals that will support large fruit. Give this to your mango tree in late spring, in the middle of summer and at the end of summer.

Liquid fertilizer for mango trees

Liquid fertilizer can be used for mango trees in Spring and Summer. Start with a high nitrogen fertilizer in Spring which could be fish emulsion or one designed for leafy vegetables.  This nitrogen boost will help with leaf growth and help the tree to grow healthy, dark leaves.

Liquid fertilizer that promotes fruit will be higher in potassium which helps the plant to grow large, delicious fruit. Look out for fruit promoting fertilizer or citrus fertilizer for more mangoes.

Liquid fertilizer is absorbed quickly by the plant but will often need to be added every 2 weeks. It is short lasting but absorbed quickly so is perfect when you want to give your mango tree nutrients quickly.

Slow release fertilizer for mango trees

Slow release fertilizer is an easy way to feed your mango plant and will release nutrients from 4 weeks for up to 3 months long. Pelleted chicken manure usually lasts for about 4 to 6 weeks so is an easy way to add nutrients. Add this to your mango tree each month over Spring and then swap to a fruit fertilizer.

Organic fertilizers for mango trees

Organic fertilizers are my favorite for all of my trees and shrubs including mango trees. It has a natural balance of nutrients that are slowly released, it is loved by soil bacteria and worms and is often made from recycled plant material and manures.

Organic fertilizers could be liquid or slow release and include the chicken manure fertilizers, fish emulsions and aged cow manures. Fertilizers with a natural base like animal manures are a great choice and help to use up waste material.

Organic fertilizers made from manures can smell but only for a short period of time. Watering them in well and covering them with mulch will help to reduce the smell quickly. Organic fertilizers are a great eco friendly choice and can be found in most garden centers, hardware stores and Amazon.

When to fertilize mango trees | Summary

Mango trees should be fertilized at the time of planting at the beginning of spring, summer and a late summer feed will keep them happy until the next spring. Start with a nitrogen based fertilizer then switch to a higher potassium fertilizer in summer to help to promote and grow large, delicious fruit.

Mango trees will grow slowly over winter but don’t despair when the warmer spring weather hits they will burst into life so make sure they have the nutrients they need to add this new leaf growth and grow delicious mangoes.

Happy gardening.