Hello, what do I fertilise my young banana tree with and how often?

Hi Kathy

We recommend you use a general garden fertiliser. Tui NovaTec Premium is perfect for bananas as it is rich in nitrogen and potassium. They also benefit from organic mulch such as compost, rotted leaf litter, lawn clippings (composted), straw and rotted hay. If you are cutting any foliage down, chop it up and mulch around the tree as bananas hold a lot of water.

They need regular feeding in spring and summer when they do most of their growing to sustain the heavy bunches of fruit that develop, monthly is good. They will also benefit from a side dressing of Tui Blood & Bone and Tui Sheep Pellets.

Bananas grow well in NZ in subtropical regions, especially Northland and Gisborne. I you are in a frost prone area it may be hard to establish bananas in the garden and they may need to be grown in pots.

Thanks, Tui Team.