I bought a small bare-root Lemon Tree today, which the packet says can survive to -4 temperatures.
I live in Norfolk, where it has gotten to -10 recently, so I was wondering whether the lemon tree should go directly in the garden (as indicated on the packet) covered with a fleece jacket, or whether I should keep it indoors.
I know a fleece jacket will keep off the frost - but will it keep off the cold slightly too?
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Kranser.
Lemon Tree - is it safe outside with a fleece cover?
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter
Lemon trees are fairly tolerant of low temperatures, but they hate wet conditions. They also thrive if the roots are restricted. Is yours in a pot now? I would recommend potting it rather than planting it directly into the garden, that way if really cold weather arrives you can bring it indoors. The rest of the time it could be propped up on two bricks to allow for drainage and be placed close to a house wall for extra protection.
Great information - thank you Angi! I hadn't thought of propping the pot up on bricks to help with the drainage.
It's still in the packet at the moment - either bare-root or in a bit of soil (haven't checked yet), but definitely no pot.
I agree that a pot would be better for it - thanks for your advice Angi,
Kranser.
It's still in the packet at the moment - either bare-root or in a bit of soil (haven't checked yet), but definitely no pot.
I agree that a pot would be better for it - thanks for your advice Angi,
Kranser.
- garden_serf
- KG Regular
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:05 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Mines in a pot too. So I can move it around according to conditions.
Put it in the sunniest spot, get it out of the wind etc..
Put it in the sunniest spot, get it out of the wind etc..
Maybe a person's time would be as well spent raising food as raising money to buy food - Frank A. Clark.
-
- KG Regular
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:57 am
- Location: Near Liskeard in Cornwall
I've always fancied having a lemon tree but wasn't sure whether they were viable outside in the UK. I am in Cornwall and the problem is that my sunniest spot - against a south-facing wall - is also my windiest spot, expecially in the winter.
-
- KG Regular
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:57 am
- Location: Near Liskeard in Cornwall
Hi GS - I've just realised that as you are in the Tamar Valley you are quite near to me - I live between Callington and Liskeard. If you are growing lemons then I am sure I will be able to.
Anne
Anne
- garden_serf
- KG Regular
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:05 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Yes Anne, you are quite near, we are in Saltash. The wind here is my biggest problem too! I live up on a hill, overlooking the river Tamar. My back garden (to the North) is right in the path of the North wind coming from Dartmoor! Sometimes the wind is so strong I think the roof is going to take off!!
The lemon tree, being in a pot, gets moved quite frequently according to conditions. I do have a small front garden to the South that is sheltered from the North wind (not the south west wind though). So it lives out there most of the year. I bring it inside for the winter, into a cool hall area with good light.
I have seen Lemon and Orange trees in Portugal, outside in fields, with snow on them, then in temperatures of 40 C in direct burning sunlight in the summer. They seem to be able to put up with a lot.
I also have a 6 yr old Olive tree outside all year round! Still in a pot, but I did not cover it this winter for the first time and it looks great. The lowest temp we have had here so far this year is -7 C.
The lemon tree, being in a pot, gets moved quite frequently according to conditions. I do have a small front garden to the South that is sheltered from the North wind (not the south west wind though). So it lives out there most of the year. I bring it inside for the winter, into a cool hall area with good light.
I have seen Lemon and Orange trees in Portugal, outside in fields, with snow on them, then in temperatures of 40 C in direct burning sunlight in the summer. They seem to be able to put up with a lot.
I also have a 6 yr old Olive tree outside all year round! Still in a pot, but I did not cover it this winter for the first time and it looks great. The lowest temp we have had here so far this year is -7 C.
Maybe a person's time would be as well spent raising food as raising money to buy food - Frank A. Clark.
-
- KG Regular
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:57 am
- Location: Near Liskeard in Cornwall
Great - looks like a project for this year. I also like the idea of an olive tree. I have a friend who has one in Looe. I am not sure I have a space to bring the lemon tree into the house but I will have a good look around. Somewhere coolish wouldn't be too much of a problem as our house is pretty chilly. Light may be a bit of a problem as ours is a barn conversion with smallish windows.
I don't have a thermometer but someone who came to our house one evening from Pensilva said it was -3 in Pensiilva and -7 where we are (lower down). And that was only at 7pm so I imagine it may have got colder overnight.
Where did you get your trees if you don't mind me asking?
I don't have a thermometer but someone who came to our house one evening from Pensilva said it was -3 in Pensiilva and -7 where we are (lower down). And that was only at 7pm so I imagine it may have got colder overnight.
Where did you get your trees if you don't mind me asking?
- garden_serf
- KG Regular
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:05 pm
- Location: Cornwall
I like to go to:
Duchy Nursery, Lostwithiel, Cornwall.
Tamar View Nursery, Carkeel, Cornwall.
or I mail order to Dobies (In Paignton, S Devon).
And sometimes from RHS Rosemoor, N Devon - I love visiting the gardens for a day out. They can be expensive though.
Duchy Nursery, Lostwithiel, Cornwall.
Tamar View Nursery, Carkeel, Cornwall.
or I mail order to Dobies (In Paignton, S Devon).
And sometimes from RHS Rosemoor, N Devon - I love visiting the gardens for a day out. They can be expensive though.
Maybe a person's time would be as well spent raising food as raising money to buy food - Frank A. Clark.
-
- KG Regular
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:57 am
- Location: Near Liskeard in Cornwall
I use Tamar Nurseries regularly and find them usually very good value. And like you I love Rosemoor and usually have a day there every year. One year I went for a weekend and stayed in a local B&B. Blissful! Two days of peaceful pottering!
Speaking earlier of protecting things from the wind - it is now picking up here and I have protected myself! I am curled up in front of my woodburner (now wondering about the state of the chimney seeing as it doesn't have a liner - see other posts), enjoying looking through my seed catalogues.
We've gone off topic here - but do you use Tamar Organics for seeds? I ordered seed potatoes from them and thankfully they haven't sent them out early as some other posts state.
Speaking earlier of protecting things from the wind - it is now picking up here and I have protected myself! I am curled up in front of my woodburner (now wondering about the state of the chimney seeing as it doesn't have a liner - see other posts), enjoying looking through my seed catalogues.
We've gone off topic here - but do you use Tamar Organics for seeds? I ordered seed potatoes from them and thankfully they haven't sent them out early as some other posts state.
Thanks for all the replies. Does anyone have any experience of using a fleece cover instead of bringing a potted lemon tree indoors? Or would this not work as the fleece wouldn't hold off the low temperatures?
Kranser.
Kranser.
- garden_serf
- KG Regular
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:05 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Kranser, do you get very low temps? I don't know what area you are in. I think lemon trees can put up with low temperatures in the winter. It would depend on which tree you have. If the area is nicely sheltered and you also use fleece too, it may be ok.
Maybe a person's time would be as well spent raising food as raising money to buy food - Frank A. Clark.