April is full of changes as spring begins. The lemon trees that you had indoors all winter come back to life from their period of dormancy. There are some critical care tasks that need to be done in April to give them the best chance of producing delicious fruit this summer.
Lemon trees they are hardened USDA zones 9-11but many gardeners across the country grow them outdoors in the summer and bring them inside in the winter. Growing lemons in containers it’s a great way to stretch your growing zone so you can have delicious lemons even if you don’t have calm weather all year round. Just bring them inside when the weather cools and put them back outside as spring warms up.
In particular, Meyer lemons make wonderful fruit trees in pots – if you don’t already have one, is for sale at Fast Growing Trees! Let’s dig into the tasks you need to complete before the end of April so you can have the richest lemon harvest yet.
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1. Replace lemons
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April is the ideal time for put your lemon again. After all its growth last year, it could use some up-potting. A sure sign that your tree needs a bigger pot is if you see roots coming out of the drainage holes or peeking above the soil. Typically, lemon trees should be repotted every 3 to 4 years.
Choose a new pot that is about 25% larger than the old pot and be sure to choose a pot with drainage holes. Soggy soil will lead to fungal problems and harm the health of your lemon tree, so good drainage is key. If your tree needs a major makeover, I suggest planting in something like this Vego Garden self-watering rolling citrus planter. It is specially made for citrus and has a self-watering system that prevents excessive and underwater watering. It also has wheels that will allow you to easily move your lemon tree around for years to come.
On the subject of good drainage, you should give your potting soil a refresh by adding well-drained soil. You can use regular potting soil and mix in some perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage, or you can buy a cactus and citrus potting mix. Miracle-Gro’s Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Soil mix, available from Home Depot, is a great choice for a ready mix.
2. Lubricate the lemon trees
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Starting in April, you the lemon tree must be fertilized every 4-6 weeks. As they leave inactionlemon trees are starting to show new growth and need nutritional support to ensure they are healthy and produce delicious fruit.
If you have a backyard lemon tree that comes indoors in the winter, the GrowScripts Lemon Tree Care Kit from The Sill has pre-measured nutrient applications and a care program to go with them. Just follow the instructions and your potted lemon tree will thrive all year round.
Espoma Citrus-Tone, available from Amazon, is an organic citrus fertilizer that is great for lemon trees planted in the landscape or in a container. It is gentle and does not burn the plants. In general, citrus needs more nitrogen than potassium or phosphorus, so look around NPK ratio which reflects this. Additionally, it should be a low enough concentration formula that your lemonade doesn’t burn. Do not use a fertilizer that has any number in the formula greater than 8 (eg 8-8-8).
3. Move the lemon trees outdoors
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April is a great time for a little spring break! If you moved your pot lemon tree indoors to overwinter itnow is the time to start acclimating it to the great outdoors. Place your lemon tree outside during the day and bring it back inside at night when the temperatures drop. Once temperatures are regularly above 60 degrees F (15.5 C), you can make the final move outside so your lemon tree gets plenty of fresh air and sunshine.
Citrus plants are native to subtropical parts of the world and are healthiest and most productive when in conditions that mimic their natural environment. Warm weather and full sun (at least 6-8 hours a day) will help you have your best lemon harvest yet.
To make moving plants outdoors easier, you can invest in a plant box with wheels or a plant mover. This adjustable plant box from Amazon it changes from an 8-inch diameter to a 21-inch diameter and holds up to 330 pounds so it grows with your lemon tree. A plant movement doll, available from Walmart, is another good option to make it easier to transport your lemon outside.
Give your lemon tree some love this spring. A new pot, fresh soil, good nutrition and a vacation on your patio will set it up for summer success!
