Organic Soil Amendments For Fruit Trees

Tree Nutrition for Flavor, Health, and Abundance in Sonoma Valley

When we don’t get the right sustenance, we tend to run out of gas, become irritable, and can even become more susceptible to illnesses. Your fruit trees respond to nutrition in much the same way! Adding soil amendments to your trees helps them produce juicier, more plentiful fruit and better resist pests and disease. However, in addition to considering its situation and soil, each fruit tree and season presents different needs.
Rows of dormant grapevines surrounded by bright yellow mustard cover crops in a Sonoma Valley vineyard, framed by wooded hills

How We Help —Fruit Tree Fertilizing Services

Sonoma Pruner’s approach to fruit tree food blends owner Madaline Duran’s hands-on expertise with best practices from regenerative farming and cannabis cultivation. Cannabis growers have long used carefully calibrated feeding schedules and tailored soil additives to improve plant health and yield. We apply those same principles to soil nutrition, because good soil and precise nutrients benefit everything that grows.

The best soil amendments for your trees depends on their needs! Madaline begins with her proprietary fertilizer blend and continues applying it regularly until the tree is leafed out and healthy. If the tree isn’t responding as expected, she may apply a soil enhancer soak to boost microbial life and replenish trace minerals. Each time Madaline visits your property, she “reads” your trees—examining their leaves and branches, tasting their fruit, and assessing their health. She then adjusts the feeding approach according to the information gathered.

Close-up of ripe figs, including one cut open to reveal juicy, seed-filled flesh, on a rustic wooden surface

Want to Fertilize Your Trees Yourself?

Madaline also offers her Magic Fairy Dust  in 5-gallon buckets for client application. If you’re comfortable applying the soil additive yourself, we’ll guide you on how to use it correctly. We also encourage clients to supplement with store-bought organic fruit tree and citrus food between visits.

Sonoma Pruner’s Proprietary Fruit Tree Fertilizer

Our custom ammendment —affectionally called “Magic Fairy Dust”—is Madaline’s exclusive blend of organic amendments formulated to promote soil vitality, enhance flavor, and support plentiful, nutrient-dense fruit. Through regular feeding, it helps maintain a living soil system that supports:

  • Strong root development
  • Vibrant foliage and branch growth
  • Robust blossom production, powered by phosphorus
  • Increased fruit yield, rich flavor, and more nutrients

Sonoma Pruner tree feeding services are priced by the amount of product used and the time required to apply and water it in. A full 5-gallon bucket of our Magic Fairy Dust is available for $85, though most trees require less. Our amendment pricing typically ranges from $15 to $65, with $65/hour for application and watering in.

Fruit Tree Soil Soak

Madaline’s passion is bringing out the full flavor of your tree’s fruit. To support an extra-delicious harvest, she developed a specially formulated soil soak, rich in trace minerals, microbes, molasses, and amino acids.

Soil soaks are typically part of ongoing care for our Sonoma fruit tree services clients, applied while their fruit is maturing. However, you’re also welcome to schedule a one-time visit just for a soil soak.

Each gallon of soil soak is $10, which includes application and watering in. We kindly ask that clients have enough trees to make the visit worthwhile. A transportation fee may apply for properties located more than 15 miles away—usually between $30 and $100, depending on distance.

Best Practices for Feeding Fruit Trees

After harvesting your fruit, supplementation winds down, but we may recommend a light soil soak or amendment to aid root health throughout winter and prepare your trees for the season ahead. During this time, we may also suggest seasonal tree protection, such as mulching.

However, the following are general tree nutrition guidelines:

  • Regular fertilization is beneficial, but the frequency depends on your tree variety, age, and soil condition.
  • Promote blossom formation with phosphorus-rich blends
  • Use nutritional assessments to guide application rates and timing
  • Let the soil and trees’ health determine care, not a fixed formula
Providing nutrients to your trees is about more than just encouraging growth. It’s about giving your fruit trees the best chance to produce better fruit and stronger branches, with vibrant health from the roots up.

Seasonal Soil Nutrition in Sonoma Valley

Applying soil additives is most effective when it aligns with their natural cycles. Here’s how we tailor nutrient support throughout the year.

Early Spring

We focus on root and bud development to prepare your trees for flowering. Phosphorus-rich tree food applications encourage strong blossoms and early-season growth. Early tree pruning may be beneficial to shape young growth and enhance airflow.

Late Spring to Summer

As fruit begins to form, we maintain soil health and nutrients. Consistent additive applications during this phase fosters fruit development, foliage health, and water retention. During this time, we may also assess pest activity and offer targeted organic pest mitigation as part of your trees’ care plan.

Late Summer to Early Fall

Targeted amendments help your fruit ripen while building reserves for the dormant season. Soil soaks during this time to help reduce stress from dry conditions and hot weather. Thinning fruit may also be beneficial to prevent overloading branches and improve next season’s yield.

Fall (Post-Harvest)

After harvesting your fruit, supplementation winds down, but we may recommend a light soil soak or amendment to aid root health throughout winter and prepare your trees for the season ahead. During this time, we may also suggest seasonal tree protection, such as mulching.
Winter arrangement of red berries and greenery in a galvanized pail atop a wine barrel, with vineyard rows and rolling hills in Sonoma Valley

Schedule Sonoma Tree Fertilization Services

Whether you’re fertilizing a recently planted fruit tree or maintaining a grove, we tailor our fruit tree soil amendment services to your property’s microclimate, tree varieties, and their state of health.

Ready to grow?

Schedule your consultation

Fruit Tree Fertilization FAQ

How often should I provide nutrients to my fruit trees?
Madaline recommends fertilizing every two weeks during the growing season, but your schedule may vary depending on soil conditions, tree variety, and age. We’ll provide a personalized plan during your consultation.
Do you recommend using compost?
Yes—Madaline often recommends organic compost soil as a simple, effective way to improve soil structure, water retention and drainage, and overall soil health. Compost is also a terrific mix-in when you’re applying additives. Just remember to water in any soil enhancement and compost combinations thoroughly. During your consultation, we can also discuss the types of compost that may be best suited to your trees and soil.
Can I mix your services with my own tree care?
Absolutely. Many of our clients use store-bought organic fertilizers between visits or apply our Magic Fairy Dust themselves. We’ll work with you to create a plan that blends professional support with hands-on care.
Will I see immediate results?
Some benefits, such as improved foliage color and growth, may appear quickly. Fruit yield and long-term health improvements typically take time but are well worth the investment.
Do you offer one-time tree feeding or seasonal plans?
Yes—we offer both! Whether you need a one-time soil boost or a comprehensive fertilization plan for the full season, we’ll create a schedule tailored to your trees and your specific goals.