Planting and Care Instructions
After planting date palms, you will need to follow good date palm tree care. Select a location with full sun where soils are well-draining. Date palms can grow in sand, loam, or even clay soil. The tree is tolerant of drought but needs plenty of water when flowering and fruiting.In addition to irrigation and support, palms need good nutrient management and pest and disease control. Manure makes an excellent fertilizer in early spring. You can also use a palm tree fertilizer high in potassium. Watch for pests and diseases and deal with them quickly as they arise. Once trees are established, you will rarely need to water them. Date palms prefer dry soil and excess moisture can inhibit growth. Keep weeds and turf away from the base in a radius of five feet (1.5 m.). In areas where production is possible, thin fruit by one-half. This increases the size of fruit and ensures a crop the next year. Tie the ripening clusters to an adjacent branch for support and use netting to protect the fruit from birds.