1. Planting:  Sugar Belle® Mandarin Trees need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. The soil should be well-draining, as citrus trees do not thrive in waterlogged conditions. Dig a hole that's twice as wide and slightly deeper than the root ball of your tree. This ensures the roots have plenty of room to spread and grow. Remove the tree from its nursery pot. Gently massage the root ball to loosen it up. 

Place the tree in the hole. The top of the root ball should be slightly above ground level. Backfill the hole with the original soil mixed with some compost or organic matter to enrich the soil. As you fill, gently tamp down the soil to remove any air pockets. If you choose, you can add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Make sure the mulch does not touch the trunk of the tree.

2. Watering: Water your tree thoroughly after planting. Continue to water it every few days for the first few weeks, then adjust the watering based on the weather and soil moisture.

3. Pollination: Sugar Belle® trees are self-fertile, which means they can pollinate themselves without the need for another tree.

4. Fertilizing: A well-balanced citrus fertilizer with micronutrients such as the one included in our Citrus Care Kit is crucial for a healthy tree. The first fertilization should be about 3 weeks after planting. Newly planted trees should be fertilized 6 times in the first year.

5. Pruning: Prune your tree if needed, usually to maintain its shape, size or to remove any dead or diseased branches. The best time to prune is in the spring. We suggest only pruning your tree in the first 3 years if it’s for the removal of suckers that grow from the base.