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Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food vs Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone

Buy Expert Gardener if you want a small bag of fast-acting, controlled-release granules with a clear three-month feeding window and a full micronutrient package. Buy Espoma Citrus-Tone if you have several trees, prefer an organic program, and want a long-running brand with a large bag that covers a whole grove. Expert Gardener is the simpler pick for one or two potted citrus trees; Espoma is the better fit for in-ground trees and organic gardeners. Both rate well with owners, and the main trade-off is convenience and speed versus organic sourcing and volume.

  • Choose the Expert Gardener if you have one or two citrus trees and want quick feeding plus slow-release nitrogen that lasts about three months.
  • Choose the Espoma Citrus-Tone if you garden organically, have several citrus or avocado trees, and want one large bag that covers a full season.

Prices

  • Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food: $5.97 at Walmart (checked today)
  • Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone: $14.47 at Walmart (checked today)
  • Difference: the Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food is $8.50 cheaper than the Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone today
Expert Gardener
Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food Fertilizer

Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food

Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food Fertilizer

4.7(393 ratings)
$5.97at WalmartChecked 8 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Fast start plus slow-release nitrogen in one application
  • Full micronutrient package including iron and zinc
  • Granular form is easy to spread and won't blow away
  • Feeding window of up to 3 months is easy to plan around
Cons
  • Synthetic, so not for organic gardeners
  • Small bag runs out fast with several trees
  • Carries a Proposition 65 silica warning
Espoma
Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone for Citrus and Avocado Tree Food, 5-6-2 Fertilizer, 27 lb.

Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone

Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone for Citrus and Avocado Tree Food, 5-6-2 Fertilizer, 27 lb.

4.6(297 ratings)
$14.47at WalmartChecked 15 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Organic formula from a long-established brand
  • 5% calcium supports fruit set and tree health
  • Large bag covers many trees for a full season
  • Works on avocado and other fruit and nut trees too
Cons
  • Dust form is messy and can drift in wind
  • Lower nitrogen than Expert Gardener, so slower top growth
  • Big bag is awkward for one or two small trees

What separates them

Expert Gardener Citrus Plant FoodEspoma Organic Citrus-Tone
NPK ratio6-4-6, higher nitrogen for leaf and shoot growth5-6-2, higher phosphorus and lower nitrogen
Nutrient sourceSynthetic granulesOrganic, from a brand that has made organic plant food since 1929
ReleaseImmediate plus controlled release, feeds up to 3 monthsSlow release, listed for use all year
MicronutrientsMagnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese and zincIncludes 5% calcium, which citrus uses heavily
Bag size4 lb bag, suited to a few trees or containers27 lb bag, suited to a grove or several in-ground trees
FormGranules that spread easily around a drip lineFine dust that needs care to avoid drift and dust clouds
Plant coverageCitrus trees from 1 foot to over 10 feet tallCitrus, avocado, fruit and nut trees
Safety noteCarries a California Proposition 65 warning for crystalline silicaNo such warning listed

Price history

$24.85$5.97
Nov 7Nov 14
  • Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food: lowest $5.97 on Nov 14 at Walmart.
  • Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone: lowest $12.99 on Nov 14 at Ace Hardware.

Prices at every store

Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $5.97Checked 8 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • InstacartNew

    Out of stock

    $5.97Checked 15 h ago
    Visit Instacart

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
All 2 stores and price history →

Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone

  • Rohrer SeedsNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $8.19Checked 15 h ago
    Visit Rohrer Seeds
  • Rolling Ridge NurseryNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $10.99Checked 15 h ago
    Visit Rolling Ridge Nursery
  • Five OaksNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $11.99Checked 15 h ago
    Visit Five Oaks
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Sports-MedReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $14.47+ $5.99 shippingChecked 15 h ago
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • Lowe'sCheck price at Lowe's
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • Home DepotCheck price at Home Depot

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 6 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecExpert Gardener Citrus Plant FoodEspoma Organic Citrus-Tone
size4 lbs27 lbs
colorMulticolorMulticolor
NPK ratio6-4-65-6-2
FormGranulesDust
Fertilizer typeSyntheticSynthetic
Package weight4 lb.—
Package volume0.185 cu. ft.—
Feeding durationup to 3 months—
Tree size range1 to over 10 feet tall—
MicronutrientsMagnesium, Sulfur, Iron, Manganese and Zinc—
Recommended locationOutdoor—
FeaturesWeather-Resistant—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecExpert Gardener Citrus Plant FoodEspoma Organic Citrus-Tone
OrganicNo (Synthetic)—
TypeSynthetic—
Primary UseFertilizer—
UseFor use on all types of citrus trees—
Item Volume0.185 cu. ft.—
Item Weight8 lb—
Quantity1—
Suitable Application SiteOutdoor—
Suitable Plant TypeCitrus trees—
Active Ingredients

What reviewers say

Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food

  • 4.7 / 5393 ratings

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 393 ratings. Buyers generally report healthy new growth and greener leaves on potted and in-ground citrus, and like that one application lasts a season quarter.

What people mention
  • Plant responsePraisedBuyers report greener leaves and fresh growth on citrus after feeding.
  • Feeding durationPraisedThe slow-release portion is said to keep working for months, cutting down on repeat applications.
  • ApplicationPraisedGranules are described as easy to scatter around the base of trees.
  • FormulationMixedSome owners would rather use an organic feed, though most are satisfied with the synthetic blend.

Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone

  • 4.6 / 5297 ratings

Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 297 ratings, buyers mostly report healthy new growth and greener leaves on potted and in-ground citrus. Complaints center on the smell and on how often it has to be reapplied.

What people mention
  • Plant resultsPraisedBuyers report new growth, greener leaves and better fruit set after regular use.
  • SmellMixedSome users find the organic odor strong right after application; others don't mind it.
  • ApplicationPraisedThe granules are easy to spread around the drip line and water in.
  • ReapplicationCriticised

Questions and answers

Which is better for potted citrus trees?
Expert Gardener. The 4 lb bag suits a few containers, the granules are easy to measure, and the three-month controlled release matches a container feeding schedule.
Which lasts longer in the ground?
Espoma's 27 lb bag covers far more ground and is listed for year-round use, so one bag goes further across several in-ground trees. Expert Gardener feeds for up to 3 months per application.
Is Espoma worth stepping up to from Expert Gardener?
Yes if you garden organically or have many trees. The organic sourcing and 5% calcium are real differences. If you have one tree and want fast green-up, Expert Gardener does the job.
Which is better for avocado trees?
Espoma, which is labeled for avocado as well as citrus. Expert Gardener is formulated for citrus only.
Does the higher nitrogen in Expert Gardener matter?
It pushes leaf and shoot growth faster, which helps young trees fill out. Mature trees that mainly need fruit support do fine with Espoma's lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus.
Are either of these safe around pets?
Both are granular outdoor fertilizers meant to be worked into soil around trees. Keep pets away during application and water in afterward, and follow each bag's label directions.

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More comparisons

  • Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food Fertilizer vs Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers Organic Citrus Mix 6-3-3, 5 lb
  • JoBe Jobe's Organics Fruit and Citrus Fertilizer vs Expert Gardener Citrus Plant Food Fertilizer
  • JoBe Jobe's Organics Fruit and Citrus Fertilizer vs Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone for Citrus and Avocado Tree Food, 5-6-2 Fertilizer, 27 lb.

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best fertilizers for lemon trees
Nitrogen
—
IngredientsMicronutrients—
Effect DurationControlled Release, Slow-release—
Effect SpeedImmediate—
Container Size4 lb.—
Container TypeBag—
Packaging Size4 lb.—
Packaging TypeBag—
Application FrequencyUp to 3 months—
Care HighlightsWeather-Resistant—
count_per_pack—1
Weight (lb)—27.0
Rec. use—Plant
Rec location—Outdoor
Weight—27 lb
Brand—Espoma
Plant category—Trees
Product net content uom—Ounce
Product net content parent—432 Ounces
Results depend on feeding several times a season, which some find inconvenient.