Citrus trees can grow in Houston, Texas, if provided winter protection.
Growing citrus trees is no longer limited to extreme southern Texas, where the temperatures are warm year-round. Several varieties of citrus trees grow well in the Houston area, even as freezing temperatures are not uncommon in the winter months. Plant citrus trees on the south side of a home or building, as this provides more protection and is warmer for the trees. Choose a location that has a minimum distance of 8 feet from buildings or driveways and does not have overhead power lines that limit height. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Select a citrus tree planting area that has a nutrient-rich soil that drains well and receives a minimum of six hours of bright sunlight each day. Test the soil pH prior to planting to make sure it is 6.0 to 8.0. Add ground rock sulfur to lower the soil pH or limestone to raise the pH. Work the amendments to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.
2. Amend the soil prior to planting by working 2 to 3 inches of organic compost into the planting area to loosen the clay soil found in the Houston area. Amend the soil removed from the planting hole by mixing it with equal portions of organic compost prior to packing around the root ball.
3. Provide supplemental water to the citrus trees when the weekly rainfall amounts are less than 1 inch during periods of dry weather or drought. Apply water as a deep soaking to moisten the soil to a depth of 10 to 14 inches.
4. Fertilize the citrus trees each month during the spring and summer growing season with a high-nitrogen fertilizer in granular form. Soil in the Houston area tends to be low in nitrogen. Obtain accurate fertilizer application rates by contacting your county university extension office for a complete soil analysis.
5. Place a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch over the root ball of your citrus tree to prevent weed growth and increase soil moisture retention. Keep the mulch 6 inches from the trunk of the tree to prevent bark and trunk damage.
6. Prune citrus trees each spring by removing dead and damaged branches. Remove sucker shoots that grow out of the ground around the base of the tree or on the trunk below the first set of main branches.
7. Winter-protect the citrus trees by building a soil bank around the trunk of the citrus tree in late November, when cold temperatures occur in the Houston area. Create the bank by placing soil around the trunk up to the first set of branches. Remove the soil by carefully brushing it from the trunk in early spring.
Tags: citrus trees, Houston area, citrus tree, Amend soil, around trunk, branches Remove, citrus trees each
