How to Grow Lemon Trees As a Hedge
Lemon trees, like most citrus, are attractive evergreens that add solid color to a garden. One way to add a sense of privacy to your yard while also adding a sustainable fruit is to plant the trees to form a hedge. Lemon trees won't survive in freezing temperatures and once they've been planted outdoors can't be moved to an indoor space for protection should inclimate weather arrive.
Select an area that gets full sun, very little wind and has excellent drainage. Work amendments into the soil to help. Install underground drainage if necessary to keep the roots of the lemon trees from remaining too wet. Plant the lemon tree hedge in a north-to-south direction, if possible, to get the full benefit of sunlight.
- Lemon trees, like most citrus, are attractive evergreens that add solid color to a garden.
Measure the length of the yard that you want to border with citrus trees. Divide the sum by 6 to calculate how many trees to plant. Lemon trees are small and need 8 to 10 feet of space.
Cover the area at the base of the trees with a landscaping mat the discourage weeds. Cover the mat with a root mulch about 3 inches thick, but keep it 12 inches from the trunk of the tree.
Water the trees with about an inch of water per week. Fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer to compensate for heavy watering. Follow the label instructions for dosage. Prune out dead wood, sprouts and crossed branches to keep the tree in good health.
- Measure the length of the yard that you want to border with citrus trees.
- Cover the mat with a root mulch about 3 inches thick, but keep it 12 inches from the trunk of the tree.
Tip
Proper spacing will give lemon trees enough room to develop fully and remain in contact with adjacent trees. It will take at least five years for the trees to grow to the appropriate height and width to form a hedge.
The lemon tree's roots grow close to the surface, so don't cultivate the soil or apply herbicides unless it's necessary.
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Tips
- Proper spacing will give lemon trees enough room to develop fully and remain in contact with adjacent trees. It will take at least five years for the trees to grow to the appropriate height and width to form a hedge.
- The lemon tree's roots grow close to the surface, so don't cultivate the soil or apply herbicides unless it's necessary.
Writer Bio
Maryland resident Heide Braley is a professional writer who contributes to a variety of websites. She has focused more than 10 years of research on botanical and garden articles and was awarded a membership to the Society of Professional Journalists. Braley has studied at Pennsylvania State University and Villanova University.
