We are growing lemons. We have a Meyer Lemon tree. While I can’t say that it was the reason we bought our house and property, I can say that I will never buy a house without a Meyer Lemon tree again!
OK, ok, yes, that sounds unreasonable and just like a lot of bluster. But now that we have the lemon tree, I honestly don’t know what I would do without it!
Lemons’ use in the culinary world is undeniable. They are a wonderful source of acid which brings out the flavor of other foods. Lemons are especially good with proteins; fish, lobster, chicken, and pork, to name a few. They are great in marinades, preserving, and my favorite, making cocktails! yum.
Why Lemons?
Did you know there are also a plethora of health benefits associated with lemons? Lemons have antioxidants, high levels of vitamin C, reduce your risk of stroke, increase heart health, reduce risk of kidney stones, increase mineral absorption, and increase energy, among other things. Many successful CEOs drink a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning. They claim it increases their mental clarity.
So, should you plan on buying 7 lemons a week, 365 lemons per year? Only until you can start growing lemons!
Lemons grow best in climate zones 9-11. Certain types such as the Meyer lemon can grow well in climate zone 8. If you don’t live in these warmer states, you’ll probably want to grow your lemon tree in a pot. The size of the pot dictates how large the roots can grow. This in turn impacts the size of the tree and the number of lemons it will produce. You can of course compensate for the size of the rootball with fertilization and other conditions.
Growing Lemons in Containers
Normally, I would recommend as big a pot as possible for any tree. In the case of a growing lemons, the tree is more productive if you can move it outside during the summer where it can get full summer sun and heat. You’ll of course need to move it back inside whenever the temps fall. Therefore, get a size pot that you can manipulate and move twice a year. If you choose a smaller pot, take note that lemon trees look GREAT in pairs! Place the lemon trees flanking entrance doors…. and double your crop!
If you put a lemon in a pot outside, remember that depending upon how much sun it gets, the tree will need regular watering. Soil dries much more quickly in a pot exposed to the sun on all sides than for a tree in the ground.
You can start growing lemons from the seed of your store bought lemon. The seeds readily sprout, and it’s fun to see them sprout up, especially for kids. Just pop them into a pot of soil and keep moist. But beware; seeds from a fruit don’t always turn out the same as their parent plants. For this reason, if you are looking for a specific breed such as Eureka or Meyer, you should consider getting your lemon tree from a nursery.
If you buy your lemon from the nursery, I highly recommend a Meyer lemon – they are more cold tolerant, disease resistant, large, and sweet. And, they are highly suited to growing in containers. When I was in China I saw them all over the place in containers; both in restaurants and in homes. Apparently they are a popular gift. Meyer lemons are a hardy hybrid cross with mandarin, making them less acidic tasting than normal lemons. Meyer lemons are also larger and rounder. As mentioned above, Meyer lemons usually can withstand colder temps too – down to zone 8. Eureka lemons on the other hand are far more cold intolerant — even a light frost will kill leaves, fruit and even branches.
Citrus in pots should be regularly fertilized to keep them productive. Otherwise they will put their energy into leaves and not the fruit. You can use a granular citrus fertilizer to encourage fruit production. Fertilize every two months, whether in a pot or in the ground. Do not fertilize in the winter unless there is absolutely no chance of frost.
Growing Lemons in the Ground
Plant your lemon tree in the ground if you live in warmer climates so that it can grow bigger and produce lots of that wonderful culinary crop. Meyer Lemon Trees don’t need a lot of space – they only grow to about 6-8 feet tall when in the ground. And, they are easily pruned. (They are often smaller when in a pot) Grow your tree near the house preferably on the south side. This will protect it from any harsh weather. Make sure it is well watered for the first few years, until its roots are established.
If you are expecting a light frost, water the roots of younger trees deeply. You will be able to protect them better when they are heathy and not drought stressed. And, you can always throw some Christmas lights over it which will warm the branches and the air and keep frost at bay. Never prune frost damaged branches during the winter. You should wait until after the last possible frost in your area to reduce open wounds in cold and frosty weather.
Mature in-ground trees generally are not as affected by colder weather, as the roots are deeper. If you make it through the first few winters with an in-ground tree, you should be good to go.
So, get growing some lemons! Keep these simple tips in mind and you will be blessed with the best and most versatile culinary citrus fruit tree. 🙂
