If you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, you can grow lemon trees (Citrus limon) in your yard. These easy-to-grow citrus trees add interest with their glossy green leaves, bright yellow fruit and fragrant, white blossoms. Although lemon trees tolerate poor soils better than other citrus, they still have some soil preferences.
Although lemon trees can grow in nearly any soil with good drainage, they grow best in loamy or sandy loam soils. Salty, heavy clay and high caliche soils can all slow down plant growth. Lemons also prefer soil pH levels between 5.5 and 6.5. Apply lime to increase the pH or sulfur to decrease it.
Mature lemon trees planted in well-draining areas typically have spreads ranging from 10 to 15 feet, while those planted in heavy soils don't grow quite as large. Space your tree at least 12 feet away from buildings and other trees so it can get plenty of sun. Lemons need full sun for optimal growth and fruit production. Citrus trees are quite sensitive to cold, so plant lemons on the south of southeast side of your home in a spot that also offers some protection from the wind.
Lemons grow best in soils that are moist, but not soggy. Water your tree every seven to 10 days during the summer, providing it with 4 to 6 inches of water each month, advises University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. Allow the soil around mature trees to partially dry between waterings. Over-watered lemon trees may suffer from crown and root rots, while those not watered enough frequently shed blossoms and don't produce as much fruit.
Lemon trees need applications of nitrogenous fertilizer throughout the growing season to promote fruit production. University of California Cooperative Extension Riverside County suggests giving trees 2 to 3 years old about 2 tablespoons of actual nitrogen just before watering. Feed young trees two to four times a year. Fertilize mature trees with 2 to 3 pounds of nitrogen each year, scattering the fertilizer over the root area and then watering the soil. In addition, giving your tree a balanced citrus food may correct mineral deficiencies in the soil and promote growth.
Weeds and Mulch
Keep the soil weed- and grass-free at least four feet away from your lemon tree to reduce competition for moisture and nutrients. Using landscape fabric around the tree can help prevent weeds, as can applying a mulch, such as wood chips. Mulch has the added benefits of retaining soil moisture and improving soil composition. Keep the mulching material at least 12 inches away from the trunk. Avoid using herbicides to remove grass and weeds because lemons are particularly sensitive to chemicals.
- University of California Cooperative Extension Sacramento County: Growing Citrus in Sacramento
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Citrus Limon
- University of California Cooperative Extension Riverside County: Questions and Answers to Citrus Management
- Texas A&M Horticulture: Home Fruit Production -- Lemons
- Purdue University: Lemon
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Watering Citrus
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