Position – Plant your Lisbon lemon tree in full sun. Although they tolerate wind well, they do better when they’re in a more sheltered spot. They don’t do well in frosty conditions. If your area is subject to frost, be sure to protect your tree by covering it with a sheet of plastic and, if it is very cold, a blanket.
Size – A mature Lisbon lemon tree will reach a height of about 9 metres with a canopy spread of 7.5 metres. So, allow enough room between trees for them to spread their boughs.
Soil Type – Opt for a well-draining soil (sandy or loamy soil) that allows the roots to extend into it and does not become waterlogged. A pH of between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal.
Mulch – Plant your tree in 12 to 15 centimetres of organic mulch (like compost, wood chips, old leaves, and so on). Then, apply mulch around the tree’s base to retain the moisture in the soil, preventing it from evaporating. Be careful not to put the mulch too close to the tree trunk, as it will become waterlogged and rot.
Watering – Your tree needs to be watered regularly, especially when the tree is newly planted to help it to get established. Then, reduce the amount of watering. During the summer, water it once a week. In the wetter winter months, water it only every second week.
Fertilising – These trees bear fruit all year round, so regular soil feeding will give it the best chance at being as healthy and productive as possible. Give it a citrus fertiliser about three times a year, starting in spring and ending towards the beginning of autumn.
Pruning – Remove all of the suckers along the tree trunk and excess fruit while they are still small. This allows the tree to focus on healthy, established branches, fruits and leaves. Only prune it during winter.
Harvesting – Your lemons should be ready to pick in the early spring. The skin should have a gorgeous yellow or yellow-green colour. It is more important that they are the correct size than completely yellow, as they will continue to ripen once picked.
