• It is essential that fruit trees are regularly and adequately fed. Feeding promotes strong and healthy growth, better fruit production and helps trees better withstand pests and diseases.
   
• Apply an annual application in March of a general purpose fertiliser like ‘Growmore’ or an organic 'Blood, Fish and Bone'.
   
• If possible, mulch with some good garden compost, straw or extremely well rotted manure - never use fresh manures around trees and plants though as it can damage them.
   
• To support fruit development (after year 2) sprinkle a handful of Sulphate of Potash around each tree in February - this is available in 1kg boxes in all good garden centres and many traditional hardware shops.
   
• Once young fruits have set, in June, trees may additionally be fed with ordinary dilute ‘Tomato Food’ solutions or homemade 'Comfrey' brews once every 2 weeks – this is especially helpful for trees being grown in pots which will also require a really good soaking, at regular intervals, several times a week. Liquid seaweed, diluted as directed, is a useful tonic a few times through the summer too.
   
• Every second year, also sprinkle a handful of 'Superphosphate' around each tree to help maintain strong and healthy root growth.

Remember - time spent feeding will be rewarded by larger, healthier and more colourful fruits.