Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Saving the citrus: What we do in a frost

Last winter we saw on a local gardening show this handy tip for saving citrus trees from a frost: Giving them a good watering and stringing branches with little white Christmas lights. So much easier than trying to haul the split wine barrels they are in into the garage or covering the trees in plastic sheeting.

And don't you think this looks nicer?

Our wee orchard consists of two figs (black mission and brown turkey), a persimmon, a Persian lime, and a Meyer lemon. The figs and persimmon are perfectly happy with the cold weather, but the citrus are easily damaged, and once they've been zapped good by a frost, it's hard to bring them back.

With their lighting systems, we're hoping they will be bringing us fruit for many years to come.

7 comments:

Bonbon Oiseau said...

looks so pretty too! warm those little suckers up! and thank you so much for the candied rosemary recipe...you are so sweet! i am going to make them on christmas eve!

Purple Flowers said...

Well, look at that. It's pretty and functional too! :o)

dbt said...

Wow-beautiful!
We received a dozen pears for Christmas and I was wondering if you had any good ideas on what to do with them. I love the pear granita, but was wondering if the pears might be good withthe Machego cheese/ Thanks so much! Love your blog.
Dorothy:)

Trish said...

I had fresh figs for the very first time at Thanksgiving -- and I loved them! You're sooo lucky to have your very own supply. They cost a bundle in the supermarkets.

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

Not only have I never seen a Meyer lemon or ripe fig in person but I have never heard of a Persian Lime! It sounds fabulous though!! Love the lights.

I grew up in south Fla and had orange, lemon, mango, coconut palms, starfruit and banana trees in my yard. Not a mysterious Meyer lemon but it was still pretty fun I guess.

tommie said...

I can only hope that this little attempt rewards you with many limes and lemons!

We lived in the Bay area for a bit and planted a Meyer's tree.....we had to leave it when we moved. I can only hope the new owners loved it as much as we did!

Red Flashlight said...

Oh my! It's so magical!