Alway’s wanted to have a lemon tree handy in your garden for those recipes that call for a bit of zest, or to make a hot drink to mix with honey and ginger when you feel a cold coming on?
Now’s the perfect time to plant citrus, and whether it be Lemon, Lime or Grapefruit that you’re after the lovely ladies at Urban Bounty currently have these citrus plants and more in stock to suit gardens of all sizes.
The following article provides advice on what citrus plants are available for gardens (big or small) and tips for how to plant and care for them to help them thrive and produce an abundant harvest.
You might be looking longingly at your neighbour’s Feijoa, Grapefruit, Lemon or Lime harvest. Lucky for you, autumn is the right time to plant your own tree.
Citrus is so handy in the kitchen, and they fruit just at the time of year when your body needs the vitamin C the most. Not to mention that a homemade supply is so much cheaper, tastier and more convenient than store-bought!
If you only have a small space, then you can’t go wrong with a dwarf citrus, or a compact Feijoa. Many dwarf fruit trees can be planted in a large pot, provided you feed and water them regularly.
Meyer Lemon’s are always a Kiwi favourite, but Urban Bounty have also managed to secure some dwarf Lemonades, dwarf Limes and even dwarf Grapefruit for this season. If it is Feijoa you hanker for, they also have a nice compact variety, called Wiki Tu Feijoa that is ideal for small gardens or an edible hedge.
Urban Bounty have shared their top tips for planting and caring for citrus, so we thought we’d pass them on to you:
Planting tips
Before planting, give your tree a drink by popping it into a bucket of water (pot and all) until the bubbles stop rising to the top.
Plant in a sheltered spot with sun-dappled shade.
If your tree is grafted, make sure the grafting point is above soil level.
Slope soil gently away from the trunk so water doesn’t pool at the base, causing it to rot.
Underplant with some creeping Rosemary – it is a great companion plant that will attract pollinating bees that you need for a bumper harvest!
Care tips
Well-draining soil is a must (citrus doesn’t like waterlogged feet).
Regularly pinch out tips to encourage a compact, bushy shape.
Wait until spring if your tree needs a prune. When pruning, ensure there is good air flow through the centre of the tree.
Remove fruit the first year so the tree puts its energy into getting established.
Feed, feed, feed! Citrus trees love a dash of Morganics organic fertiliser, compost and regular top ups with worm tea! Regular feeding and watering is even more important if your citrus is in a pot.
Water regularly in summer.
Mulch around the roots too. A thin layer of lawn clippings is OK, but not too much. Make sure you leave a ‘donut’ of space around the trunk, so the mulch doesn’t rot the trunk.
Urban Bounty have just received a shipment of citrus and vitamin-packed fruit trees – just in time for winter. They also have some other interesting varieties that you can plant now:
Grapefruit – Golden Special Dwarf
Limes – Bearrs Dwarf
Lemon Meyer
Oranges – Navelina Dwarf
Feijoa Wiki Tu – a nice compact variety
Olives Koroneiki – good for hedging
Pomegranate Wonderful – these are looking great and are much bigger than in the shops
Kei Apple (more for lifestyle blocks)
Gotu Kola – often used in traditional eastern medicine, but it also makes an interesting ground cover for tropical style gardens.
Morganics (Biogro certified organic) fertiliser – great for establishing healthy root systems that will help plants to get established and thrive.
If you have any questions or are looking for some gardening advice the team at Urban Bounty would love to hear from you.
For more information or to order click here.
email: [email protected]
phone: 021 580 057
About The Author: Katie Brooks
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