Gardening with Margaret Matthews
A guide to growing a perfect lemon tree
by Margaret Matthews
The most frequently asked questions of gardening columnists and talk-back radio gardening hosts are about the ubiquitous lemon tree, by far the most popular member of the citrus family.
The Lisbon, Meyer and Eureka lemon trees are all attractive plants with pleasant green leaves throughout the year, sweetly perfumed white flowers and decorative yellow fruits which have many uses. In fact, if the fruits were not edible the trees would still claim a favoured place in the home garden.
Choose a species that is right for your garden. The Lisbon is a well-shaped, upright tree which can be had with or without thorns. (I know which I’d choose!) It is free-fruiting and in time will become a large tree. It is ideal as a lawn specimen, and is suitable for heavy soils. It was introduced into Australia from Portugal, which accounts for its name. The Meyer lemon is a smaller plant and is suitable for tub culture or the small garden. Its fruit is deeper in colour and not so acid. The Eureka is thornless, not as vigorous as the Lisbon and the fruits have a thicker skin.
Lemons require a well-drained, sunny position. If the soil is very acid, add lime. Raise the bed a few centimetres above ground level, making sure the graft is above the soil. (All lemon trees purchased from a nursery are grated onto root stock.) Never, never allow weeds, leaves, lawn clippings or mulch to bank up at the base of the tree. This can result in collar rot. If this should occur, scrape away the diseased bark and paint with a wound dressing containing a fungicide. If the rot has completely encircled the trunk, pray, or order another tree from the nursery, depending upon the strength of your faith! In spring or early summer, mulch with organic material. Make sure the ground is moist beforehand.
Lemon lovers will find it very difficult (and some will find it impossible) to remove any fruit from a young tree as soon as it sets, for the first two years. The plant will have a chance to develop vigorously, and will set more and better quality fruit in future. The wait is worthwhile.
Lemon trees need deep and regular watering in summer. A weekly soak is far better than a daily sprinkling. Fertilise twice a year, in spring and autumn, with blood and bone with sulphate of ammonia, or with a complete citrus food. If fruiting is light, add some sulphate of potash. Make sure that the ground is watered before and after fertilising.
Lemon trees sometimes drop leaves in summer if they have dried out, and in winter if subjected to heavy frosts. Young trees should be protected from severe frosts for two years. Pruning is rarely necessary, but trees can be lightly shaped in spring.
Lemon trees are sometimes afflicted with brown spot, particularly in warm, humid weather. They should be sprayed with Bordeaux or a similar product. Scale is a common problem which, if not treated, may be followed by sooty mould. Scale can be controlled with white oil. Galls – small round growths caused by the larvae of certain insects are best controlled by pruning the affected limbs. They are unsightly, but will not cause permanent harm.
A little bit of history: Lemon trees originated in China and ate back to at least AD970. The Arabs introduced them to Europe, and they arrived in Australia with the first fleet.
Some uses for lemons
Lemons are used in many drinks, from old-fashioned ‘Lemon Syrup’, to cocktails and garnishing other drinks; in recipes from Mum’s Lemon Delicious Pudding and Lemon Sago to modern recipes such as Lemon Roulade and Lemon Chiffon Tart.
Lemon juice is used in salad dressings, on avocados and apples to prevent discolouration, as a marinade. Lemons are made into marmalade and combined with other fruit in jams and chutneys. They are also used medicinally: hot lemon drinks for colds, lemon and honey for sore throats. Lemon juice is used to remove stains … one could go on and on …
Take delight in your beautiful lemon tree, and enjoy its wonderful fruit.
Garden Jobs for August
Feed lawns, plant summer-flowering bulbs such as liliums. Take cuttings from base of chrysanthemums; watch for snails; plant rhubarb crowns, potatoes, lettuce, celery. Prune fuchsias back hard, fertilise established roses at the end of this month (newly planted roses should not be fed until they are putting on strong growth).
And don’t forget to feed your lemon tree!
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