What do you consider the “fiscal year” for young trees? For third leaf trees do you consider last year’s “post harvest” fertilizer as part of this year’s production cycle? Or is the later season fertilizer used in the growth of the tree?
Dear Armando,
This is a great question. I usually follow the calendar for nitrogen management as it helps with operational budgeting. This is tends to work with nitrogen as it is mostly an in-season applications (this would be different for potassium).
Depending on your location, we plan for 10-20% for the nitrogen budget for postharvest. With Portugal, for example, I plan for 10% because the cooler temperatures and delayed harvest. We just reserve this nitrogen from the annual plan.
The later season nitrogen application helps increase tree nitrogen levels going into dormancy. This timing helps because there is no fruit to “sink” the nitrogen. Applying it too late doesn’t provide much value due to the lack of leaves on the tree/nitrogen uptake.
I hope this helps,
David
Armando Leal
May 9, 2022What do you consider the “fiscal year” for young trees? For third leaf trees do you consider last year’s “post harvest” fertilizer as part of this year’s production cycle? Or is the later season fertilizer used in the growth of the tree?
Davidd
May 9, 2022Dear Armando,
This is a great question. I usually follow the calendar for nitrogen management as it helps with operational budgeting. This is tends to work with nitrogen as it is mostly an in-season applications (this would be different for potassium).
Depending on your location, we plan for 10-20% for the nitrogen budget for postharvest. With Portugal, for example, I plan for 10% because the cooler temperatures and delayed harvest. We just reserve this nitrogen from the annual plan.
The later season nitrogen application helps increase tree nitrogen levels going into dormancy. This timing helps because there is no fruit to “sink” the nitrogen. Applying it too late doesn’t provide much value due to the lack of leaves on the tree/nitrogen uptake.
I hope this helps,
David