Don’t Wait For Life To Give You Lemons; Grow Your Own

Hands down, the Meyer lemon is my favorite fruit. Ne’er has there been a fruit more versatile in its use, nor more darn cheery to look at. It’s sunshine on a branch! And its blooms? So pleasantly aromatic, you may faint. But you’ll be smiling all the way down. 

Native to China, the Meyer lemon is thought to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange, hence its round shape, deep-yellow color and sweeter juice. Too cold sensitive to be planted permanently in our (zone 8a) gardens, their dwarf growth habit means they’re perfectly suited for growing in outdoor containers, most months of the year. 

You don’t have one yet? What are you waiting for?! You can find dwarf Meyer lemon trees, in bloom now, at most generalized nurseries and garden centers. They are self-pollinators, so you only need one for the plant to set fruit. But go ahead and get two or three, ‘cause you can never ever have too many lemons. 

The Perfect Pot

While you’re there, grab a pot (plastic may be easier to move indoors, come winter) that is about 2 inches larger in diameter than the pot you purchased it in. When it comes to pots, or anything for that matter, bigger is not always better. Plants, especially those that require good drainage, whose root systems are much smaller than the pot they’re planted in, are more likely to suffer due to excessive moisture, and soluble salt buildup from fertilizers.

Choosing Your Soil

A general potting soil is suitable for your lemon tree. However, avoid those that promote high water retention. Remember, you’re looking for a fast draining soil. Therefore, you may even consider incorporating small, pine bark fines (bits) into your potting soil. (By the way, adding a layer of rocks at the bottom of a pot to increase drainage is an old wife’s tale. For the real story on how soil and water perform in a container, visit this informative forum. Better put your academic cap on; it’s nerdy, but oh-so-interesting!)

Planting and Placement

When planting your Meyer lemon, plant it at the same depth at which you purchased it. This means, no soil should be built up around its trunk.

During warm months, when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees, your tree will need 6-8 hours of full sun. Don’t skimp on it, or it will skimp on you!

Overwintering 

Toward the end of the growing season, begin brainstorming its winter home. Gradually, over the course of several weeks, move your tree into decreasing areas of sunlight. Finally, before temperatures reach that uncozy, 40 degree mark, move your tree indoors for the winter. 

There are many ways in which gardeners overwinter their citrus. Some, after the sunlight transitioning period described above, simply move theirs indoors next to a bright window or under fluorescent lights. In this case, watering should continue, although decrease in frequency. 

Others, like me, move it into an unheated, unlit basement or garage (some natural light is fine), allowing it to go dormant. In this case, you would cease watering all together. 

However you choose to overwinter, keep this in mind: The amount of sunlight reaching your plant’s leaves should somewhat mirror the temperature its roots are kept. For example, your plant would be unhappy in a cold, but very bright location. Likewise, a dark, but heated environment would be stressful. So, keep it warm and bright, OR dark and cold. Got it?

Then, when spring arrives (woohoo!), gradually move the plant into areas of increasing light until it’s in full sun again. It’ll go from wimpy to WOWZA in the time it takes for you to look up your favorite Meyer lemon recipe. 

Nutritional and Water Requirements

During the growing season, Meyer lemon trees prefer to be well hydrated at all times, but never soggy. To determine if you should water, stick your finger into the soil about 3 inches. If it’s dry, water it deeply until water runs out the bottom. If it’s not, don’t. Remember, you’re not doing your tree any favors by watering more than is necessary. 

All that charming requires sustenance. In fact, lemon trees are heavy feeders and require, in particular, a good bit of nitrogen about three times a year. Therefore, choose a fertilizer that, roughly, has a ratio of 2 parts nitrogen (N) to 1 part phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Better yet, take all the guess work out and buy a fertilizer specially formulated for citrus. Cofer’s carries an organic fertilizer, called Cirtus Tone, that fits the bill perfectly. 

I know, I know--this all seems a little fussy for simple, homegrown lemons. And you’re right; I tend to be overly thorough at times. It’s my nature. 

Truth is, growing lemons is easy squeezy. In fact, it was voted “Most Likely To Succeed” in high school. Get a tree. Put it in a pot with some soil. Place it in the sun. Water it sometimes. Pull it inside when it gets cold. Push it out when it gets warm. Done. You’ve got lemons. 

Now, while you’re off to the plant shop, I’m going out back to check on the progress of Zesty’s fruit production, like the proud mama I am. (What, like you don’t name your plants.) Yep, still itty bitty! 

Stop by in August, when the lemons will be ripe and ready, and we’ll make lemonade together. Or limoncello. Or marmalade. Or roasted lemon chicken. Or pie. Or Meyer lemon brisket followed by lemon mousse. Or...