Find considerations for nutrients, soil, and water that you must factor in when planting a new citrus grove.

There are many factors to consider when planting a new citrus grove. Thankfully, UF/IFAS) citrus genetic improvement specialist John Chater shared what factors Florida citrus growers should consider during his presentation at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in August. We’re sharing those factors concerning nutrients, soil, and water from a Citrus Industry article. See them below.

New Grove Factors: Nutrients, Soil, and Water

Chater shared the following factors concerning nutrients, soil, and water for new citrus groves:

Nutrients and Soil Considerations

  • “If mineral nutrients aren’t in the prospective new grove, the plant will suffer.” You will need to plan on supplying mineral nutrients if the site is deficient.
  • “If the soil pH is wrong, trees can’t take up some nutrients. According to UF/IFAS, optimal pH for water and soil for citrus production is between 5.8 and 6.5. Most irrigation water in Florida is alkaline and can affect soil pH and other factors.”
  • “Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is affected by soil organic matter, which is often low (0% to 1%) in Florida soils. Adding mulch and other composted materials may help CEC. Adjusting soil pH prior to planting is a good idea because it can take a long time to adjust soil pH.”
  • “Proper moisture is tricky to achieve in Florida soils. Sandy soil drains quickly, making it a challenge to maintain optimal moisture levels.”

Water Considerations

  • “Growers must have access to enough water.”
  • “In poorly drained areas, trees can be planted in double-row raised beds or with other methods to help with drainage, such as water furrows, ditches and tile drains.”
  • “Pump volume capacity must meet the maximum water volume the grove needs.”
  • “Adequate water volume is also needed for freeze protection via microsprinklers.”
  • “Water shouldn’t be alkaline or have high levels of bicarbonate. Less than 100 parts per million is best.”

See considerations concerning pests, tree tolerance, and planting the trees themselves in our next blog.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.