Water fruit trees properly

Key facts at a glance

• Fruit trees need regular nutrients, as nutrients are removed from the soil with each harvest.
• The most important fertilization takes place in spring between March and May.
• Organic fertilizers such as compost, worm compost or horn shavings gently nourish the tree and also promote soil life.
• Balanced watering is important so that the roots can absorb nutrients.
• Too much nitrogen can impair fruit development and increase susceptibility to frost.
• Mulch, compost and a healthy soil structure support the long-term effects of fertilization.
• It is not the amount of fertilizer that matters, but the interplay of nutrients, water and soil quality.

The peculiarities of fruit trees

The most remarkable feature of our fruit trees is their beautiful blossoms in spring and, of course, the delicious fruit they bear. 
Without fruit, we would be missing an important source of vitamins. Fruit can serve as a perfect substitute for sweets, and there's a reason for the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Fruit keeps us healthy and energetic and is the foundation of a balanced diet in our daily lives.
Like all other trees, fruit trees are also important suppliers of oxygen for us humans and filter pollutants from the air, which, in addition to nutrition, has a positive effect on our health.

How much water do fruit trees need?

Fruit trees require a certain amount of care. If they don't get enough water, they suffer from drought stress, in the worst case failing to produce blossoms or dropping their fruit prematurely. 
You can expect about 30 liters of water per square meter of space under the tree. That's about 3 full watering cans. If we assume an area of ​​around 4 - 5 square meters under a medium-sized fruit tree, it will be happy if it is bathed with around 150 liters of water.

How often should fruit trees be watered?

That always depends on the weather. If you water your fruit tree 2 times a week, it will be very happy. If the drought persists, you can water your fruit tree about 3 times a week. Even in the early vegetation phase after winter, you can support shoots and flowers 3 times a week with water. Drooping leaves are a sign that your tree is very thirsty and you should start bathing the tree immediately. So that the water holds better and the soil doesn't dry out quickly, you can spread some mulch around the tree disc.

How can you recognize water shortage in fruit trees?

Fruit trees often show signs of drought stress through various symptoms:

• drooping or curled leaves
• Premature leaf drop
• small fruits
• Premature fetal death
• weak growth
• withered shoot tips

If several of these signs occur simultaneously and there is no rain for an extended period of time, additional irrigation may be necessary.

Can fruit trees get too much water?

Not only a lack of water can harm fruit trees. Persistently high soil moisture can also be problematic. If water remains in the root zone for an extended period, the roots receive too little oxygen. This can damage them or cause them to die. Experts refer to this as waterlogging.

Particularly heavy and clayey soils tend to retain water for extended periods. Therefore, when irrigating, care should always be taken to ensure that excess water can drain away.

When should you water fruit trees?

Fruit trees should generally be watered whenever the soil around their roots remains dry for extended periods. Watering is particularly important during flowering, fruit development, and prolonged dry spells.

The ideal times are early morning or evening. At these times, less water evaporates and a larger proportion actually reaches the soil.

What's important is not just the frequency of watering, but above all the amount of water. In many cases, it's more effective to water less frequently but thoroughly than to water frequently but superficially.

Which watering methods are suitable for fruit trees?

Due to the challenging times of climate change, it must be said that our fruit trees need all kinds of irrigation to survive the hot and dry summer months. However, there are different watering methods, each of which can help the trees to varying degrees.

The standard watering can is of course the most well-known watering method, right next to the garden hose. You can also water your fruit tree with regular buckets of water. Even more helpful is giving your fruit tree a refreshing watering.

If you water your fruit tree with a large amount of water all at once, the water seeps through the soil so quickly that it can't be absorbed by the roots. Or the water runs off the surface and evaporates. Tree watering bags They keep the soil moist for a long time, giving the tree the opportunity to take a proper tree bath.
Time-saving and resource-saving irrigation systems are very suitable for large orchards, as these are difficult to irrigate efficiently with normal watering.

What is the optimal watering method for fruit trees?

The optimal watering method for fruit trees is drip irrigation. This means that the trees are watered drop by drop over a longer period of time and not flooded. Drip irrigation has also proven itself in agriculture for large orchards, because this is how the water really gets to the roots.

The irrigation sack is the best support for free-standing fruit trees in our gardens. Imagine you put this bag around the tree trunk like a jacket and close it with a zipper. The bag is then filled with up to 75 liters of water and releases this drop by drop to the floor within 6 - 9 hours. This leaves the roots enough time to absorb the water.

For more information, we recommend the following article: How can I water trees properly?

Why the soil is important for water supply

How well a fruit tree is supplied with water depends not only on the amount of water. Soil quality also plays a crucial role. Humus-rich soils can retain water much better than compacted or very sandy soils.

If the soil is heavily compacted, rainwater or irrigation water often cannot seep into the ground sufficiently. The water runs off the surface or evaporates before it reaches the roots. In very sandy soils, on the other hand, water often seeps away too quickly.

Mulch, compost, and active soil life can improve the soil's water retention capacity in the long term. This allows more moisture to remain available in the root zone, enabling the fruit tree to cope better with periods of drought.

Mulching to support irrigation

A layer of mulch can help reduce the frequency with which fruit trees need watering. It protects the soil from direct sunlight and reduces evaporation.

At the same time, mulch improves soil structure and promotes soil life. Earthworms and microorganisms gradually break down the organic material and contribute to humus formation.

Suitable materials include grass clippings, leaves, or wood chips. It is important not to place the mulch directly against the trunk to prevent persistent moisture buildup on the bark.

Worm compost: Support for soil and fruit trees

Worm compost is one of the most valuable organic soil improvers in the garden. It is created by the work of composting worms, which transform organic materials into nutrient-rich humus.

Worm compost offers several benefits for fruit trees. It provides essential nutrients, improves soil structure, and promotes soil life. This allows the soil to retain water better and supports the roots in absorbing water and nutrients.

Especially during dry periods, fruit trees benefit from humus-rich soils, as these can retain moisture for significantly longer. At the same time, worm compost promotes the activity of microorganisms that are essential for healthy soil.

Worm compost can be applied as a solid around the base of the tree or administered in liquid form via the watering can. This allows watering to be directly combined with a natural supply of nutrients.

If you would like to learn more about the effects of worm compost, we recommend our article on the topic. Worm compost for trees.

Holistic care of fruit trees

Proper watering is one of the most important measures for healthy fruit trees. However, only in combination with other care factors can your tree optimally absorb and utilize water. Here are some other important measures for healthy fruit trees:

• pruning: A targeted pruning ensures a balanced ratio between the crown and the roots. This allows the tree to use the available water more efficiently.
• Mulching: A layer of mulch protects the soil from drying out and reduces evaporation. This helps retain moisture in the root zone for longer.
• Fertilization: A balanced supply of nutrients strengthens the tree and increases its resistance to drought stress.