8 Fruit Tree Tricks That Can Double Your Harvest in No Time

If you've added fruit trees to your garden, of course, you'll want as much juicy, ripe fruit as you can get from them. But if you've been disappointed with your fruit harvests so far, don't despair. There are a few tricks to make your fruit trees produce even more flavorful fruit than they have in the past. 

Before you set out to increase your fruit harvest, be sure to look up the specifics of your fruit variety. While these techniques are generally effective, it's always best to tailor your approach to your specific trees. Ahead, we spoke with experts for their tried-and-true tricks for doubling your fruit tree harvest. 

Prune Regularly

Pruning is the single most important thing to do to get your fruit trees to produce more fruit. "Fruit is produced on wood that receives direct sun, so a dense, tangled tree is essentially hiding its own potential," she says. "The goal is to create an open canopy that allows sunlight to reach every branch."

Enfield suggests pruning in late winter or early spring, when you can remove any crossed branches, water sprouts, or anything growing from the center of the tree before new growth begins. "A good rule of thumb: if a bird cannot fly straight through your tree's canopy, it needs more pruning," she says. 

Fertilize Correctly

Fertilizer contains essential nutrients that can boost yields and overall plant health. But before reaching for a fertilizer product or adding compost, test your soil to better understand what it needs. And take care not to over-fertilize, especially with nitrogen-based fertilizers. "Too much nitrogen encourages lush leafy growth at the expense of fruit," says Enfield. "Instead, use a slow-release fertilizer applied once in early spring as buds begin to swell."

Water Deeply

Like many other plants and grasses, fruit trees benefit from deep watering once a week rather than shallow, frequent watering. This encourages the tree's roots to grow downward, which makes the tree more resilient, says Enfield. "Inconsistent moisture is also a leading cause of fruit drop and problems like bitter pits in apples," she says. 

Add a slow-running hose or drip irrigation system near the base of your fruit tree and water for just 30 to 45 minutes once a week, says Enfield. "Always water at the drip line (the outer edge of the canopy) rather than directly at the trunk," she adds.

Add Mulch

Mulch is a gardening workhorse, and it's no different for fruit trees. Mulching helps the soil retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds that would otherwise compete for attention with your fruit tree's roots for surrounding water and nutrients. "Many gardeners skip mulching altogether, but it should be considered a non-negotiable for a productive backyard orchard," says Enfield. 

Remove Early Fruit

It may seem counterintuitive, but thinning some of the early fruit on your tree can actually make it produce even more fruit. "When a tree sets more fruit than it can ripen well, it either drops the excess on its own (often at the wrong time) or produces a large crop of small, flavorless fruit," says Enfield. "Hand-thinning in late spring allows the tree to put its energy into fewer, larger, and far more flavorful fruits."

But be aware that not every type of fruit tree needs thinning. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, and apricots can all benefit from some form of thinning, but cherry trees can be left alone. "Cherries do not need to be thinned at all and are perfectly happy carrying a full fruit load," Enfield says. "The same is true for citrus, figs, and most other tropical or subtropical fruits." Always check your specific fruit tree variety before thinning it out. 

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Plant Other Fruit Trees for Cross-Pollination

Most fruit trees require cross-pollination, notes Halina Shamshur, resident botany expert at Plantum. And even fruit trees that are technically self-pollinating can benefit from cross-pollination to increase their fruit production. "Plant two to three different varieties of the same species (such as apple trees) that bloom at the same time. To attract pollinators, plant nectar-rich companion plants like phacelia, mustard, or dill nearby," says Shamshur. 

Ensure Your Soil Is Well-Draining

Most plants do better when planted in well-draining soil—waterlogged plant and tree roots can lead to root rot and reduced nutrient uptake. Poorly draining soil ultimately results in a struggling tree that cannot produce well, no matter how much you fertilize or water, says Enfield. 

The best time to address your soil composition, especially if you have heavy clay soil, is before planting your tree. "For raised beds, start with a quality organic soil blend designed for good drainage and aeration," Enfield says. "For in-ground planting, amending your native soil can make a significant difference in both soil structure and drainage."

Use Growth Stimulants

Using a growth stimulant at the right time can help increase your tree's fruit bounty, says Shamshur. Growth stimulants can strengthen plants and trees in several ways, boosting their immunity against fungal, bacterial, and viral infections and strengthening their roots. "In addition, they enhance flowering, fruit formation, and ripening, resulting in larger and more flavorful harvests," Shamshur says.