Growing and Caring for Citrus Trees

Citrus trees are evergreen and can be grown in pots or in the ground, but they require year-round maintenance.

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Fortunately, citrus trees develop extremely quickly, bearing fruit in just a few years after planting. Adhere to this easy citrus regimen year after year to gain the benefits.

Taking good care of your citrus plants

It’s never been easier to take care of your citrus tree, whether you’re growing a tangelo, orange, grapefruit, mandarin, lemon, or lime. To maintain the health and happiness of your trees, adhere to these four easy tips.

Citrus tree planting

The ideal season to plant citrus tree varies on where you reside. In the colder regions, plant in the spring when the soil is warmer. In fall, you can plant a citrus tree in your garden if you live in a warmer climate. Citrus trees should never be planted in the sweltering summer heat.

Watering citrus trees

For the first two weeks after planting, give citrus trees ample watering. Once citrus trees are established, you can reduce the frequency of watering so that you only water when the weather is dry and the fruits are forming.

From fruit set to harvest, it’s critical to keep the soil moist to avoid citrus trees from being stressed, which could lead to a large portion of the crop falling off.

Fertilizing citrus trees

Citrus fruits are typically fertilized three times a year: in January/February, in March/April, and in May/June. For oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit, apply 1/3 of the suggested annual amount. Use 1/3 of the suggested annual quantity for lemons and limes in January and February, 1/3 in March and April, and 1/3 in August and September. Fertilizer is not required for the first one to two years after planting. Apply fertilizer with ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, or citrus food. The age, size, and kind of the tree determine how much fertilizer it needs each year. For instance, 6.2 pounds of ammonium sulfate (divided into three applications) are required annually for a medium-sized mature tree that is 5–6 years old after planting. Five years or more after planting, grapefruit plants require half

How to keep pests and diseases away from citrus trees

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By keeping your citrus trees healthy, you can mostly prevent problems with diseases and pests.

To ensure the best possible start for your citrus trees:

Before planting, prepare the soil by adding compost to nourish it.
To prevent harm to the roots, dig a hole that is at least twice as big as the pot your citrus plants are in.
Citrus trees should be planted in full sun with at least 5–6 hours of sunlight per day.

Of course, pests and illnesses might occasionally affect your citrus trees regardless of what you do. Watch out for:

Scale, leaf miners, and aphids. These are frequent citrus pests, but they rarely cause significant damage. Treat with an environmentally safe oil spray.
Stink bugs can damage your tree and harvest. Remove promptly by hand (while wearing gloves and eye protection).
Yellow leaves are a typical problem with citrus trees, but if you prepare the soil properly and restore it every season, your citrus will thrive. Look for fertilizers that have more magnesium and iron to help prevent yellowing.

Pruning citrus trees.

Citrus trees require different trimming techniques than most other fruit trees because they are evergreen. Forget all those fancy pruning processes. Simply:

Remove any old or dead wood.
Remove any undesirable growth or branches that contact the soil.
Reduce total height while maintaining a clean form (if desired).

That’s all there is to it; care for citrus trees couldn’t be easier!

When to harvest citrus fruits?

The best time to select your citrus fruit will vary depending on where you live in Australia, but you can use the following as a guide:

Lemons: January to April.
Limes: January to April.
Grapefruits: Year-round
Mandarins: April through October.
Valencias: November to February.
Navel Oranges: June to October.

Look for mature fruits and sniff them to see whether they have a citrus aroma. To be truly safe and confident that the fruit is ripe to Pick one, peel it, and taste it. This is the assurance you need that it is ready to eat or utilize in your recipes.