20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter (2024)

FAQs

How do you take care of a Meyer lemon tree in the winter? ›

Meyer lemons prefer temperatures between 50°F and 80°F degrees. Once temperatures drop below 50°F, prepare to bring your tree inside and stop feeding. Place your lemon tree near a south facing window in a sunny location.

Their mild acidity and lush fragrance make Meyer lemons a natural fit in desserts, but they're also great in savory dishes where you want brightness without astringency. Try them in dishes like Pasta al Limone, Chicken Piccata, or lemony white fish.

Meyer Lemon Trees are very cold hardy and can withstand temperatures down to about 20 degrees. If your area gets colder than that, your tree will need to be planted in a container and brought inside when the temperature drops. But when they're inside, winter heat can dry them out.

Meyer lemons are available in stores between December and May. Their limited season and fragile skin (which makes them more difficult to ship) naturally make them more expensive and harder to get your hands on than regular lemons.

Soil. The Meyer lemon tree shares a growing season with other citrus fruits, which means you can expect to see white blossoms in early spring. You can use coffee grounds as a do-it-yourself (DIY) soil treatment to improve the acidity of the area surrounding your plant's roots and lower the surrounding soil pH.

Place a shallow container of pebbles under the pot to give the plant the extra humidity. Partially cover the pebbles with water- the pot should never sit in water. Reduce watering during winter months and water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Do not fertilize your tree during the winter months.

Since Meyer lemon is a hybrid, it has a mellow, sweet flavor. Its lack of bitter pith means that you can enjoy Meyer lemon peel in recipes that call for whole lemons. Price and availability: Unlike regular lemons, which are available year-round, Meyer lemons are in season from early winter through early spring.

Yes, you can. The method is simple, and the result is fabulous. You'll find many uses for frozen lemons, and you can use nearly every part of the fruit in the process. Freezing lemons means you'll always have fresh lemon on hand to add zip to dishes and tang to drinks.

Instead, they're much sweeter — so much so that some people enjoy adding the raw segments to their salads or desserts.

For Meyer Lemon Trees, you want a mix that doesn't skimp on phosphorus or potassium. A balanced 10-10-10 or 14-7-14 mix can work wonders. But remember, too much nitrogen and your tree might go all leafy on you, at the expense of flowers and fruit.

How long do Meyer lemon trees live? ›

In-ground citrus planting is recommended for areas that do not typically see freezing temperatures in the winter. 1. Covering: Use frost cloths, blankets, burlap, or specialized tree covers to shield the trees from freezing temperatures. Make sure the cover extends all the way to the ground to trap heat effectively.

Move the plants to a south-facing window or a bright sunroom where they will receive maximum light. Avoid sites close to heating vents or doors that will be opened in cold weather. Reduce watering during winter months. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch.

Because they have super thin skins, they're difficult to ship, so they were confined to the citrus belt—California, Florida and Texas—for years. Today, Meyer lemons are available in many specialty grocery stores and places like Whole Foods, but the extra precaution in shipping makes them more expensive.

Most citrus trees can handle a light frost, but any temperature below 32°F can be detrimental to its health. Keep your tree inside until you are sure the last spring frost in your area has passed, and the average nightly temperature is above 40°F before preparing to move your citrus tree outside.

Unlike deciduous plants, citrus sheds older leaves throughout the year Leaf yellowing and drop in the winter is probably attributable to excessive or too little water in the root zone or dry winds in combination with cool soils.

In many cases of freeze damage, the rootstock should be replaced and better results will be obtained by replanting altogether. Freeze-injured citrus need good water and fertilizer to restore foliage or regrow the canopy.

Provide at least eight hours of bright light daily. A shallow saucer of pebbles, partially covered with water and set under the lemon tree's pot, adds some Florida humidity to dry, indoor Yakima air. Keep the bottom of the pot from sitting in the water.