April is full of changes as spring gets under way. Lemon trees that you had indoors all winter are springing back to life from their dormant period. There are a few crucial care tasks that need to be done in April to give them the best chance to produce tasty fruit this summer.
Lemon trees are hardy to USDA Zones 9-11but many gardeners across the country grow them outdoors in the summer and bring them inside in winter. Growing lemon trees in containers is a great way to stretch your growing zone so you can have delicious lemons even if you don’t have balmy weather year-round. Just bring them indoors when the weather gets cold and put them back outside as spring warms up.
In particular, Meyer lemon trees make wonderful potted fruit trees – if you don’t have one yet, they are currently on sale at Fast Growing Trees! Let’s dig into the tasks you need to complete before April ends so you can have your most bountiful lemon harvest yet.
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1. Repot Lemon Trees
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April is the perfect time to repot your lemon tree. After all its growth last year, it can use an up-potting. A sure sign that your tree needs a bigger pot is if you see roots coming out of the drainage holes or peeping above the soil. Typically, lemon trees need to be repotted every 3 to 4 years.
Choose a new pot that is about 25% larger than the old pot and make sure to choose a pot with drainage holes. Soggy soil will lead to fungus problems and harm the health of your lemon tree so good drainage is key. If your tree needs a substantial up-potting, I recommend planting into something like the Vego Garden self-watering rolling citrus tree planter. It is specifically made for citrus trees and features a self-watering system that prevents overwatering and underwatering. It also has wheels which will allow you to move your lemon tree easily for years to come.
On the topic of good drainage, you should give your pot a soil refresh by adding well-draining soil. You can use regular potting soil and mix in some perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage, or you can purchase a cactus and citrus tree potting mix. Miracle-Gro’s Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Soil mix, available from Home Depot, is a great option for a ready-made mix.
2. Fertilize Lemon Trees
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Beginning in April, your lemon tree needs to be fertilized every 4-6 weeks. As they leave dormancylemon trees begin to show new growth and need nutritional support to ensure they are healthy and produce tasty fruit.
If you have a patio 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 schedule to go along with them. Just follow the instructions and your potted lemon tree will thrive all year long.
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 won’t burn plants. In general, citrus trees need more Nitrogen than Potassium or Phosphorus, so look for an NPK ratio that reflects that. Additionally, it should be a pretty low concentration formula so as not to burn your lemon tree. Don’t use a fertilizer that has any number in the formula higher than 8 (e.g. 8-8-8).
3. Move Lemon Trees Outdoors
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April is a great time for a little spring vacation! If you moved your potted lemon tree indoors to winterize itnow is the time to begin acclimating it to the great outdoors. Place your lemon tree outside during the day and bring it back inside at night when temperatures dip. Once temperatures are regularly above 60 degrees F (15.5 C), you can make the final move outside so your lemon tree will get plenty of fresh air and sunshine.
Citrus plants are native to sub-tropical parts of the world and are healthier and more productive when they are in conditions that imitate their natural environment. Warm weather and full sun (at least 6-8 hours per day) will help you get the best crop of lemons yet.
To make moving plants outdoors easier, you can invest in a plant caddy with wheels or a plant mover. This adjustable plant caddy from Amazon changes from an 8-inch diameter to 21-inch diameter and holds up to 330 pounds so it will grow with your lemon tree. A plant mover dolly, available from Walmart, is another good option to make moving your lemon tree outside easier.
Give your lemon tree a little love this spring. A new pot, fresh soil, good nutrition, and a vacation to your patio will set it up for summer success!
