You Can Grow a Lemon Tree at Home!

I am not considered a master gardener but I love experimenting to see what I can grow to challenge myself and surprise others. I live in a southeastern state that enjoys a mid-range winter season with some snow and below freezing temperatures in January and February. It is not possible but I still wish I could garden all year like I did when I lived in California. I love anything lemon or lemon- related so it was only natural that I try to grow a lemon tree. The wonderful thing is my experiment actually worked.

Here’s what I did: I saved the seeds from a lemon and allowed them to dry out for a week or two. I saved about four or five just to increase my chances by the way. Once dried, I planted the seeds about an inch deep in good potting soil, covered the top of the pot (plastic) with some clear plastic wrap and sat the pot in a sunny spot next to the patio window. I kept it from drafts as this was important because I planted the seeds in February by the way. Being the gardener I am I would look at the pot often just to see if there were any green bits breaking through the soil but I stopped looking for a few weeks. Once I stopped looking I found little shoots of green beginning to poke through the soil. It grew somewhat slowly but it stayed green and I knew it was ALIVE.

I waited until summer had really taken hold…about June or so and I planted the seedlings in my garden to watch them grow there. To my surprise they liked it and began to grow! I potted a couple up and gave to friends. I sold one at a yard sale but I saved one for myself. I still have it in a pot on my front patio. Its deep dark green leaves smell very good and they look so great. The tree is now three feet tall with impatiens planted around the bottom and it looks gorgeous. If you try this just remember you will have to protect your tree from frost or freezing temperatures and you can have your own wonderful lemon tree no matter where you live!

P.S. The tree has not produced lemons nor do I expect it to but the greenery is so beautiful and fragrant its still worth it.

* Your lemon tree is a neat alternative to a ficus tree generally grown in lots of homes and its also better because of the lemony smell.

* You can trim your lemon tree. It doesn’t mind being trimmed to suit the space.

* If you are really daring place your lemon tree in a very large pot and watch it grow even bigger!

Special Ways to Use Your Lemon Leaves:

1. Pull a leaf off, wash thoroughly and drip warm chocolate on each leaf and peel off when hardened. Beautiful garnish for a dessert.

2. Use a leaf as a stamp. Place leaf on paper or canvas. Paint on top of leaf and then peel off leaf.

3. Pull off a few leaves and use as greenery on a small bouquet.

4. Dry leaves and add to an herbal wreath.

5. Pull off a few leaves, wash and dry thoroughly and add them to your place setting. Sprinkle a little salt and/or pepper on each leaf. What a special way for a guest to add salt and pepper to a dish.