Monday, January 31, 2011

When life sends you lemons... plant a tree!

Building, like biting into a big juicy lemon, is not a pleasant experience in the least and when dealing with the contractors and very uninspired builders we are calmly putting into practice our yoga breathing techniques instead of throwing objects against the newly painted walls!

While the universe keeps feeding us lemons we are going to grow them...Every few days throughout the past year I have been sneaking lemons from our neighbour in awe of how rich and abundant their tree was.

According to the gardening guides its very easy to grow your own lemons! The catch: they do have a few requirements.

Tips on how to Grow a Lemon tree:

    • Lemon trees don't tolerate the cold very well and wont last through freezing temperatures and frost for to long. If you are in an area where frost appears for several days plant the tree close to the house or building, the radiant heat coming off the building will keep the area around the tree above freezing.
    • Sun, sun and more sun. The more the better, at least 8 hours. Lemon trees do however appreciate late afternoon shade on their roots. [picky little buggers]
    • Lemon trees like acidic soil, soil can be made more acidic by adding sulphur or ammonium sulfate fertilisers - enquire at your nearest nursery for advice. Dig the hole double the size of the bag of the tree and always make sure the area around the base of the tree is mulchy which will retain soil moisture. 
    • Lemon trees like a good watering, water well once a week rather than sprinkling it every few days. 
    • 'Feed'! It is important to fertilise the tree before it blossoms. They flower from October onwards and an application of Limestone Ammonium Nitrate (L.A.N) can be done in July/ August. Water well before and after you fertilise. Do not feed the tree with L.A.N after it has bloomed as it will create a thick skin on the fruit and tasteless lemons.
    • Lemon trees grow quite quickly and therefor to keep the lemons in reach need to be pruned.When pruning trim all dead branches and branches that are touching the ground to avoid a way for ants and snails to get to the fruit. 
    • Snails do love lemons so if you find any slithering around the tree use bait  to keep them from getting to the stem of the tree.
    • Lemons can be picked from the time that they start showing a yellowish tinge until fully yellow. Very ripe lemons will fall to the ground. 


our baby tree 27.01.2011



 






organic: indulgent lemon curd, refreshing lemonade, tangy lemon marinades and sweet lemon cakes will be made and sold at [PS] head quarters in the near future.

[PS] why not grow your own lemon tree....

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