satsuma

both trees

6' spacing off fence and between trees

I would just top dress with mulch, and wait until spring, when all chances of possible frosty temps have passed to trop dress with composted manure. Too much N for this time of year And, I'd make those wells about 50% bigger, as your tree canopies are starting to extend beyond the wells, which is where your feeder roots reside. The grass is going to compete for nutrients with your trees, and the grass will win that battle with a young tree.

Patty S.

I suspect you are not likely to get frost in Myrtle Beach; and if you want that Meyer to make fruit in the Spring, you should fertilize it now with a good citrus fertilizer; cow manure is good food for citrus; but you have to put a LOT.
I don't know about the other tree; but Meyers can take cold down to 28F when planted in the ground, without sustaining damage.

Zone 8a/b? Of course he could get a frost, John. I'm in zone 10a and my winter temps can dip to freezing for short periods. Myrtle Beach, SC can get some chilly winters. He is on the edge of the citrus belt. I would not fertilize until spring. Or, just a small amount of Osmocote Plus, but never top dress with that much nitrogen in composted manure. I don't fertilize after the end of October/beginning of November, and that's pushing it. He'll lose any new growth if he seriously fertilizes, and any fruit set would most likely be aborted if the canopy is damaged enough. Too bad you didn't fertilize a little sooner. I would take care about how you fertilize now, as you're heading into winter.

Patty S.

Yea we do get frosts here in winter. I wanted tree to "harden off" that's why I was reluctant in adding compost. Do you guys know if adding mulch helps or hurts root system in cold.
Some say leave soil bare to absorb Sun others say protect with mulch?

I mulch all my in ground citrus trees twice a year, once in the fall (now) and once in spring right before I get my 100 degree summer temps. During the winter it helps keep the roots warm during those cold nights and in the summer it helps retain moisture so I don't have to water as frequently. I get some cold snaps during December where my temps can dip into the upper 20's at night for a couple hours but my trees are unaffected by it most of the time. Here is a photo of my cara cara navel on the left, pomona sweet lemon front right, gold nugget mandarin back middle and my Mexican key lime on the right.

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Evan