Homegrown citrus – a healthy investment

• By Greenrose Garden Centre

Growing your own citrus is a simple way to bring fresh flavour, nutrition, and long-term
savings into your household. In Franklin’s favourable climate, citrus trees thrive with
minimal care, making them a valuable addition to any garden.

Lemons are a staple in many New Zealand homes, used in baking, drinks, and condiments. Limes follow closely behind, prized for their zest, juice, and aromatic leaves. Mandarins are a lunchbox favourite — healthy, sweet, and easy to peel — while oranges remain the top
choice for juicing, with Valencia varieties known for their high juice content and Navels for
their natural sweetness.

With citrus prices often high, planting your own trees is a smart investment. A single healthy tree can produce dozens — even hundreds — of fruit each season. Planted today, a citrus tree can pay for itself within just a few years and continue producing for many more.

Having fresh fruit right outside your door is not only convenient, but it also ensures peak flavour and freshness, without the waxes or chemicals sometimes found on commercially grown produce.

Citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential nutrients that support immunity,
skin health, and overall wellbeing.

Citrus also grows exceptionally well in pots, making it ideal for patios, decks, and smaller
gardens. Compact varieties such as Kumquat Meiwa, Lemon Meyer, Lime Sublime, Lime
Kaffir, Mandarin Miho, and Finger Lime are particularly well-suited to container growing.

While some cutting-grown citrus performs well, grafted trees offer several advantages. The
rootstock provides improved disease resistance, better cold tolerance, and a strong, vigorous root system. Flying Dragon dwarfing rootstock helps control tree size while maintaining full-sized fruit, making it perfect for pots or smaller spaces.

When planting in containers, choose a large pot with good drainage and use a high-quality
potting mix. Position the tree at the same depth as it was in the nursery pot, and water and
feed regularly to keep it thriving.

Whether you have a spacious backyard or a sunny patio, there’s a citrus variety to suit your
space. At Greenrose Garden Centre, our team can help you select the right tree and offer
expert advice.

Popular varieties include Lemon Yen Ben, an improved Lisbon lemon with fewer seeds and smooth skin; Lime Bearss, a vigorous, seedless Tahitian lime; Mandarin Silver Hill, an early-ripening, easy-peel variety; Mandarin Encore, valued for its long fruiting season; Orange Best’s Seedless, a juicy New Zealand favourite; and Orange Harwood Late, known for its rich, sweet flavour and extended harvest. Start your citrus journey today and enjoy the satisfaction of homegrown fruit for years to
come.

• Choose a warm spot, sheltered from cold winds, with maximum sunlight.
• Good drainage is essential, so avoid areas where water tends to pool. If your soil is
  heavy, consider planting in a raised bed or container.
• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and only just as deep.
• Remove tree from the pot and loosen any roots that wind around the root ball.
• Position the tree so that the top of the root ball sits just at or slightly higher than
  ground level – too low and it could rot. Pack loosened soil under the root ball if
  needed.
• Backfill with 50/50 mix of soil and compost and gently firm it in around the root ball.
• Water thoroughly after planting and apply a layer of extra compost or mulch to help
  retain moisture and suppress weeds – keep it clear of the trunk.

• Water regularly, during dry spells.
• Feed your citrus tree with a specialised citrus fertiliser every 3-4 months for healthy
  growth and fruiting.
• Prune lightly to maintain shape and remove any dead or crossing branches.
• Keep an eye out for pests and treat early if needed.
• If you live in an area with severe frosts, your trees will need protecting while young.