Meyer lemons are a sweet, juicy, and acidic citrus fruit with an intense flavor. They are native to China and are now widely cultivated in other areas of the world, including in U.S. home gardens. Planting a Meyer lemon tree in your yard is a great way to add a burst of flavor and color to your landscape. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Select a sunny spot in your yard. Meyer lemon trees thrive in full sun, so make sure to choose an area that gets at least six hours of direct sun a day.
2. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and grass, and then tilling the soil to a depth of at least one foot. Mix organic matter and fertilizer into the soil to create a nutrient-rich environment for your tree.
3. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball of your Meyer lemon tree. Gently slide the tree into the hole, taking care not to damage the tree’s root system.
4. Fill the hole with the soil you removed when digging the hole. Gently press down around the tree to secure it. Water the tree deeply with a slow trickle of water, allowing it to soak up the moisture.
5. Mulch the base of the tree with an organic material, such as wood chips, to help retain moisture and keep weeds away. Water the tree deeply once a week. As the tree grows, increase the intervals between watering sessions.
Maintaining a Meyer Lemon Tree
Regular maintenance of your Meyer lemon tree is essential to keep it healthy and productive. Prune your tree as needed to maintain its shape and promote a strong, upright growth habit. It is also important to fertilize your tree regularly. Choose a citrus fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Fertilize your tree four to five times a year, in early spring, late spring, mid-summer, late summer, and early fall.
Keep your Meyer lemon tree free of weeds and grass by hand-weeding or using an organic mulch. To prevent pests and disease, monitor the tree regularly and treat any pest or disease problems as they arise. Citrus trees are relatively hardy and disease-resistant, but they can still fall victim to problems if left unchecked.
Harvest time is also an important part of Meyer lemon tree care. Harvest your fruit when it is just starting to turn yellow. Taking the time to care for your Meyer lemon tree will ensure a plentiful harvest for years to come.
Pruning a Meyer Lemon Tree
Proper pruning techniques are important for maintaining a healthy Meyer lemon tree. Pruning should be done as soon after planting as possible in order to shape the tree and promote a strong, upright growth habit. Starting early on with pruning also eliminates the need for more drastic pruning later on.
Begin pruning by removing any broken or diseased branches. Then, cut away any crossed branches or branches that are growing in an awkward direction. Finally, remove any shoots that are coming directly off the trunk of the tree, as this will encourage lateral branching.
Pruning should be done at least once a year in the spring. This will help keep your Meyer lemon tree healthy and productive, as well as promote a strong and beautiful growth habit.
Harvesting Meyer Lemons
Meyer lemons are harvested when they are just starting to turn yellow, typically in the early winter months. Carefully inspect the fruit for damage and remove any diseased or rotten lemons from the tree. Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to gently cut the lemon away from the stem.
The skin of a Meyer lemon should be a bright yellow-orange color when the lemon is ripe. The flavor of Meyer lemons is sweet and slightly tart, and they make an excellent addition to salads, salad dressings, desserts, or drinks.
Controlling Pests and Diseases
Citrus trees are relatively hardy and resistant to disease, but pests can still be a problem if left unchecked. Monitor your tree regularly for signs of damage from pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects. If you notice an infestation, treat it immediately with an approved insecticide.
Fungal diseases can also be a problem in citrus trees. Common citrus diseases include citrus canker, citrus scab, and citrus rust. Treat any disease problems as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading to the other trees in your landscape.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Meyer lemon tree:
• Make sure to water your tree deeply and with a slow trickle of water to ensure it gets enough moisture. Do this at least once a week and more frequently during the hot summer months.
• Mulch around the base of the tree with an organic material, such as wood chips, to keep the soil cool and moist.
• Fertilize your tree four to five times a year to ensure it has enough nutrients to be productive.
• Prune your tree as needed to maintain its shape and promote a strong, upright growth habit. Start early on with pruning and try to do it at least once a year in the spring.
• Monitor your tree regularly for pests and disease, and treat any problems as soon as possible.
