How to Grow Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemon Trees in Houston, Texas

Dwarf Meyer lemon trees are not true lemon trees. The fruit is less tart and acidic than true lemons, and the trees grow smaller and are more cold resistant. Meyer lemon trees grow best in zones 9 through 11 and are perfect for growing in the Houston, Texas, area with its hot summers and mild winters. These relatively care-free, hardy citrus trees are a gardener's dream because of the beauty they add to the garden and the sweet fruit.

• 1

  Plant dwarf Meyer lemon trees in a location that receives full sun all day long for best growth. It is preferable to plant on a south or southwest facing side of a house or building where it will have protection from the cold weather.

• 2

  Prepare the soil in early spring as soon as the ground is workable. Loosen the soil by digging down to a depth of 1 foot. Remove all large clods of dirt and any large rocks. Amend the soil with 2 to 3 inches of compost or peat moss to make the soil well draining.

• 3

  Dig a hole that is twice as large as the root ball of the tree. Set the tree in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the top of the hole.

• 4

  Fill in the hole halfway with soil to cover the roots. Add water to help the soil settle around the roots. As soon as all the water has drained out, fill in the hole the rest of the way with soil. Tamp down firmly around the base of the tree.

• 5

  Make a water ring around the tree that is approximately 2 feet across and about 3 inches high. The water ring holds in the water longer, allowing for a deeper watering which helps to get the tree well established the first couple weeks after planting.

• 6

  Water the lemon tree every other day for the first two weeks after planting. Use a garden hose to fill up the water ring around the tree. After two weeks, water about one to two times per week just to keep the soil moist. The water ring will eventually dissolve into the ground around the tree.

• 7

  Pull weeds and grass from around the base of the lemon tree. Weeds and grass cause the tree to compete for water and nutrients from the soil.

• 8

  Fertilize the lemon tree with 1 cup of citrus food after active growth occurs usually in late spring. Sprinkle the fertilizer around the base of the tree and water in well. Only apply fertilizer once a year in late spring.

• 9

  Cover the lemon tree with a blanket or tarp in late fall or before the first predicted frost. Pull out the corners and tie down with stakes to hold. Remove the covering in early spring or after the last predicted frost.