Every gardener has to have some basic tools and products to make their garden thrive. There are so many great products available to gardeners and things can easily add up. I’d like to take a minute to review the things that I utilize consistently, which has helped me create a beautiful urban backyard garden and orchard. I’ve had a lot of success with these products and wanted to have them all accessible in one place.
Feeding
If you think that you can just stick your plants or trees in the ground and occasionally water them, you’re going to be scratching your head when your plants struggle. Feeding is critical to plant health. It takes a lot of energy for plants to produce the wonderful edibles we enjoy. You can go a few different routes with feeding your plants either organic, synthetic, or a combination. I prefer to be as organic as possible, but am not completely opposed to using some synthetic fertilizers.
Worm Castings are one of the best things you can use for your garden and fruit trees. Having a healthy living soil where microbes and worms thrive is huge in creating a sustainable food forest. WIGGLE WORM SOIL BUILDER EARTHWORM CASTINGS 30lb
Compost is the next best thing to worm castings. I prefer to make my own and don’t typically buy bagged compost. Manures are great to use, but the majority need to be composted.
Fish Emulsion– I see great results using fish emulsion for my plants and fruit trees. It doesn’t smell great, but it’s a great way to provide nutrients organically. Another plus is that it doesn’t burn the plants, so you don’t have to worry about using too much. I use Just Scentsational TP-128Q Trident’s Pride Liquid Fish Soil Fertilizer, 128 oz (1 Gallon)
I’ll also use this one for heavier nitrogen lovers like Guava: Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer 5-1-1 Concentrate 1 Gallon
Liquid Seaweed is great for providing the needed trace elements and micronutrients for healthy trees. This is the product I use and recommend: Grow More 6041 Seaweed Extract 11%, 1-Gallon liquid seaweed
BGI Citrus Gain is the only synthetic fertilizer I use for fruit trees. I like it because it has all the macro and micro nutrients needed for fruit trees, so there isn’t any guesswork. I primarily use this on my citrus, but it can be used for most fruit trees.
Soil Amendments can be used to help with poor soils.
Soil Sulphur is beneficial to help reduce the PH of your soil. The clay soil in Arizona is High PH.
Epsom Salt or magnesium sulfate can be used periodically to help keep plants looking green. I mainly use Epsom salt for my Loquat tree.
Gypsum is a soil conditioner that helps to loosen clay soil and is very effective over time.
Pesticides/Fungal Sprays
Copper Spray is good to have on hand especially for stone fruit trees. I’ve had issues with Peach Hole shot on my peach trees and copper spray has been effective with clearing this up.
Neem Oil is my go to organic pesticide.
Garden Tools
Shovels– Every gardener needs to have a couple good shovels.
Wood Chipper– I’ve really enjoyed using this wood chipper for mulching up pruned or fallen branches. Mulching is a huge factor in having success with growing fruit trees in hot climates.
Pruning Sheers and loopers are staple tools that I use for my fruit trees to keep them healthy and at a manageable size.
A Pick Axe is going to make your life a lot easier when trying to break up that hard compacted clay soil. It’s almost a necessity in my area when digging a hole for a fruit tree.
