Late summer feeding: Why apple trees need phosphorus and potassium now

In August, apple trees divert nearly all internal resources toward the filling and ripening of fruit. Many gardeners mistakenly cease care after flowering, but the tree is often exhausted during this final maturation phase. Insufficient nutrition at this stage not only reduces the flavor of the apples but also weakens the tree before winter—a factor that directly impacts the yield of the following season. Nutrient Priorities for Late Summer Selecting fertilizers in August requires consideration of the tree's age, cultivar specifications, and soil condition. According to experts from the "Vse Svoe" journal by Rosselkhozbank, trees are particularly sensitive to excess nitrogen during this period; too much can trigger new shoot growth at the expense of ripening fruit. Sergey Mikheev, practical gardener: "In August, trees do not need powerful stimulants for foliage growth. The priority now is potassium salts, which help sugars concentrate in the fruit, and phosphorus to strengthen the wood before the cold weather"