There’s a proper method for applying base fertilizer to peach trees in autumn.

For peach trees, the optimal time to apply a base fertilizer in autumn is generally in the first and middle ten days of September. During this period, soil temperatures remain relatively high, root systems exhibit strong regenerative capacity, and severed roots recover rapidly. At the same time, fertilizers are converted more quickly, facilitating uptake by the tree and helping to increase the storage of nutrients within the plant.

The peach tree’s root system is primarily concentrated in the 20–40 cm soil layer, so the optimal depth for fertilizer trenches or planting holes is 30–40 cm. Currently, some orchardists apply fertilizer by broadcasting it on the soil surface and then using a rotary tiller to incorporate it, which results in an insufficient fertilization depth.

Peach tree root systems are more aerophilic than those of apple and other fruit trees; therefore, the fertilization area should be appropriately expanded to increase the root zone’s absorptive surface, improve the root environment, and enhance root uptake capacity. In production, base fertilizer application should be integrated with soil improvement. For peach orchards with relatively wide tree‑to‑row spacing, fertilizer trenches can be dug along the outer perimeter of the tree canopy, 40–60 cm wide and 30–40 cm deep, with the fertilization location rotated annually—typically completing a full cycle of soil amendment every 3–4 years. In orchards with close tree spacing and high whole‑orchard canopy cover, it is preferable to establish permanent fertilizer‑and‑irrigation strips between rows. By consistently applying fertilizer in trenches between rows, the peach tree roots can be kept within this designated band, ensuring stable growth and nutrient uptake.

Base fertilization for peach trees should primarily consist of organic fertilizers, supplemented with an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer based on yield. If nutrient deficiencies are severe, it is also necessary to apply a suitable soil conditioner or micronutrient fertilizer, such as Nongda High-Calcium Potassium-Magnesium or Silicon-Calcium-Potassium-Magnesium.

Peach trees have a relatively high fruit‑setting rate and are demanding in terms of soil nutrients; adequate base fertilization is essential for robust tree growth, high yields, and stable production. During the early fruiting stage, apply 30–40 kg of compound fertilizer per mu; during the peak fruiting period, apply no less than 60 kg per mu. As for organic fertilizer, the more you can invest, the better.