Lemon Tree

So dance now in this bountiful garden of the lemon tree.
For all we have left in the end are our memories.
MPCooper, Cherish the Lemon Tree

If you are still looking for a unique holiday gift, consider a lemon tree. Back in the days when I sold citrus trees, I transcribed many messages of love and a few of repentance to accompany gifts of lemon trees. The hardest messages to write were those to accompany memorial trees.

Whether it is because of their bright colors in the dead of winter, their bitter-sweet flavor, or maybe the symbolism of the tree itself, lemon trees have a place in our homes and in our hearts.

I grow Dwarf Meyer Lemon, Improved because I like the sweeter flavor of this lemon variety. It is perfect for making preserved lemons. (If you haven't tried preserved lemons, email me for the recipe. They add a delicious salty/tangy flavor to chicken and fish dishes.)

Lemon trees are easy to grow and reward you consistently with fruit in late fall and early winter. Dwarf varieties grow well in containers and can be grown indoors. This makes it possible to grow lemon trees anywhere.

A few sources for lemon trees are included at the end of this blog. If your state does not permit importation of trees from these growers, ask your local nurseries for reputable tree sources.

Growing Lemon Trees:
Here's a series of articles I wrote for ehow on growing lemon trees. A more general article on growing citrus can be found on my website, The Gourmet Gardener

Growing Lemon Trees Organically
Pruning Lemon Trees
Planting Lemon Trees

Lemon Tree Sources:

Tampa, Florida
Harris Citrus
I've been to this farm and highly recommend them for Florida buyers.

Winters, California
Four Winds Growers

Mission, Texas
RGV Nursery

Container Fruit Trees

Since winter is the time to order deciduous fruit trees, I thought a blog on selecting fruit trees to grow in containers would be helpful.

Why grow fruit trees in containers?
Aside from their ornamental value (citrus trees by the pool are beautiful!), container fruit tree gardens are an excellent choice for gardeners who have limited space or poor soil. The portability of container fruit trees open up the possibility of growing tropical and citrus fruits in cold climates.
When selecting fruit trees for containers, always select dwarf trees.  They produce full sized fruit and grow just 6'-8' tall instead of a typical fruit tree which can grow 30'-40'.

Deciduous Fruit Trees: Deciduous Trees lose their leaves and become dormant during the winter months. Peaches, Pears, Cherries, and Apples are a few examples. Though each type of tree is different, here are a few general considerations when selecting a tree.
Chill Hours: Deciduous fruit trees usually require a certain number of "chill hours" in order to produce fruit. When purchasing fruit trees, select a fruit tree matching the hours your region receives on average below 45 deg.f. 
Moisture:  It is important to select varieties adapted for moisture levels in your region.  Peaches and pears are especially susceptible to moisture.
Sunlight:  Basically, all deciduous fruit trees require 4-6 hours of direct sunlight during the growth/fruiting phase.   Artificial light will likely be needed for trees grown indoors.

Citrus and Tropical Fruits: Thanks to the portability of container gardens, tropical fruits can be grown in most regions if brought indoors during the winter months.  Just  remember to cover outdoor trees during periods of light frost and to bring them indoors prior to any freezing temperatures.  Some varieties are more cold tolerant than others.  Harvey Lemons, for example, tolerate light freezes quite nicely.
Moisture:  Citrus and tropical fruits originated in areas with ample summer rains.  Plan to water them daily during periods of warm weather.
Sunlight:  Tropical and Citrus trees require at least 8 hours of sunlight a day.  They do not have a period of dormancy and so will require supplemental light if moved indoors during the winter months.

Sources for Deciduous Fruit Trees:
Arbor Day Foundation sells inexpensive, dwarf fruit trees.
Trees of Antiquity  sells heirloom and organic fruit tree varieties.
Just Fruits and Exotics, based in Florida, sells every fruit tree from Apples to Quince.  Their website is also very informative.

Sources for Citrus Trees:
Florida, California, Texas, New Mexico:  Floridians can only purchase citrus trees grown in Florida.  Florida growers may not sell to other states.  I like Harris Citrus in Tampa. 
California, Texas, and New Mexico prohibit the import of citrus. Four Winds Growers is a good choice for California gardeners. In Texas, I like Thompson Citrus. 
All other states:  Four Winds Growers ships to most states outside of the quarantined areas (even Alaska and Hawaii).

For additional information about organically growing cherry, apple, peach, nectarine and pear trees in containers, consider purchasing my book, Container Gardening for Health: The 12 Most Important Fruits and Vegetables for Your Organic Garden