206 A complete guide to growing citrus at home GROW YOUR OWN CITRUS TREE INSIDE OR OUT CARING FOR YOUR TREE WITH THESE HANDY TIPS! Water your plant in the garden twice a week when young and as There’s nothing quite as satisfying as growing your own fruit and your citrus tree grows, water when required. Citrus like to have citrus is the ideal choice for the home gardener. Whether you plan moisture at the roots so give them a good water on dry days. to grow your tree in the backyard, on your balcony or inside, citrus For potted citrus trees, water more frequently in summer and less in is a forgiving plant that will bear its fruit no matter where it’s grown.the cooler months. A good way of testing whether your plant needs Choosing which citrus tree you want to grow is half the fun! water is to stick your finger into the soil down to the second joint – You could go with the popular choice of lemons but if you fancy if it’s dry then it needs more water. something more exotic why not try cumquats, grapefruit or finger Fertiliser is also a good way to keep your citrus tree healthy. limes!? For outdoor plants, fertilise your tree after harvest and a month OPTIMAL WEATHER before the tree flowers. Feed potted citrus with a soluble fertiliser. If the leaves begin to turn yellow, reduce your fertiliser and add Citrus trees grow best in dappled sunlight. If you’re growing your more water. citrus tree outside, choose an aspect with afternoon shade. If growing inside or on your balcony, choose a section or window WHEN TO HARVEST with plenty of sunshine to maximise exposure to the sun throughout Unlike most fruit trees which produce the majority of its crop in the day. a short time frame, citrus fruit ripens and hangs on the branch for Most citrus trees prefer warmer climate but can handle a small weeks before droping. This means you can harvest the fruit whenp amount of frost. If you live in cooler climates that drop below -5°C you’re ready to use it without spoiling. in winter then perhaps avoid citrus. Most citrus including lemons, mandarins, grapefruit, cumquats PLANTING YOUR TREE and oranges are most abundant in winter, however can be picked from early autumn to early spring. Some varieties of lime including Citrus trees will grow in standard garden soil as long as it has good the native finger lime are harvested in autumn while Tahitian limes drainage. The best time to plant your tree is in summer or early ripen from spring to autumn. autumn to maximise available sunlight. If planting your tree in a pot, choose a good quality potting mix and line the bottom of the pot with pebbles to help drain the soil. Your pot should be at least 40cm diameter with adequate drain holes. If your tree outgrows your pot, you can repot it in a larger pot down the track. THE NEFF AUSTRALIA COOKBOOK