Citrus.com has some amazing citrus trees for sale, as well as other types of fruit trees and plants! You might be excited at the idea of having your own avocado tree, kumquat tree, or Meyer lemon tree, but the thought of caring for it might seem intimidating.
Before shopping for citrus trees online, you’ll need to do a little research to ensure you have the right environment for your tree. Do you live in a compatible growing zone for the type of tree you’re looking to buy? Will it be an indoor tree or an outdoor tree? If you plan to keep your tree indoors some or part of the time, do you have an indoor environment that’s conducive to good health and growth?
Many citrus tree varieties (like lime trees and even grapefruit trees) are relatively easy to care for, but all trees do better with regular attention and proper growing aids. One of these is regular mulching.
Not All Mulches are Right for Citrus Trees
Citrus trees do best in soil that is well-drained. This is due to the fact that citrus is susceptible to root-rot and damage to tree trunks and bases from excessive wetness.
Traditional, deep mulch is not the way to go if you want an abundant citrus crop. This is because citrus uses shallow feeder roots to access nutrients in the topsoil. Therefore, when you mulch the ground under your citrus tree, you should use caution. Follow the suggestions in this guide for a successful and productive citrus mulching program.
Benefits of Citrus Tree Mulching
Proper mulching under your citrus tree can help retain soil moisture while simultaneously preventing the onset of weeds or grass (something all plants prefer to avoide!). This allows the feeder roots to do their job. At the same time, eliminating weeds prevents the need to dig or hoe around citrus trees, so the surface roots are left undisturbed. This fosters a healthy tree that can get the nutrition it needs without competition from weeds or grass.
Selecting the Proper Mulch for Your Tree
Organic mulch that will quickly break down is ideal for citrus because it also adds nutrients to the soil. Grass clippings, leaves, and composted vegetation are fine. Commercially produced mulch from tree materials are also suitable, but avoid products that have been dyed or treated with systemic pesticides as these can find their way into the fruit.
Applying Citrus Tree Mulch
Spread mulch evenly around your citrus tree at a depth no deeper than three inches. It is a good idea to mulch out to the drip-edge of the citrus tree, where the furthest branches fall. Avoid stacking mulch up directly against the citrus tree base and trunk, as this can cause root rot, encourage pests, and instigate certain citrus tree diseases. For this reason, be sure that the base of the trunk is free of mulch to a distance of at least one foot all the way around. Always remove any stacked materials (such as fallen leaves or fruit) from the tree base as well.
Enjoy Your Citrus Harvest!
By following these simple tips, you can successfully use mulch under your citrus trees without causing root or trunk damage. Proper citrus tree mulching will retain moisture, prevent weeds, reduce the need to weed and/or hoe, and help your citrus trees become healthy and (best of all!) productive.
