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

FAQs

20 Meyer Lemon Recipes That’ll Make You Glad It’s Winter? ›

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.

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.

As for fruit, the Meyer lemon tree should produce citrus every year after it reaches maturity—i.e., around four years old. Growing a citrus tree on your own may sound daunting—most of us aren't farmers—but we promise it's just as easy as caring for your favorite houseplant (and maybe easier in some cases).

Eureka lemons are definitely of the bitter lemon variety (AKA a “true” lemon), while the fruit of a Meyer lemon tree tends to be sweeter because it's actually a hybrid between a true lemon and the sweeter mandarin orange. Meyer lemon trees produce smaller, orange-yellow fruit that is thinner-skinned than eureka lemons.

The layer of bitter white pith that makes a thick protective coating for regular lemons is so thin on Meyers that they may be eaten in their entirety, peel included. Cut thin slices, remove the seeds and roast them with root vegetables, chicken or fish.

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.

Among the citrus types most easily killed or damaged by freezing weather are citrons, lemons and limes. Temperatures in the high 20s will kill or severely damage these plants.

Meyer lemon trees will fruit either indoors or outdoors once or twice a year, with especially abundant harvests in fall and winter. If your Meyer lemon tree is located outdoors, pollination should take care of itself.

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.

Too much or too little, and you'll see it in the leaves. Aim for that sweet spot where the soil is moist, and your tree is thirst-quenched without being waterlogged. Through careful pruning, your Meyer Lemon Tree won't just survive; it'll thrive, rewarding you with a bounty of fruit and a burst of backyard beauty.

What is the best fertilizer for lemon trees? ›

Use Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Phosphate or Citrus Food fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer needed per year depends on the age, the size, and the type of tree. For example, a medium-sized adult tree 5-6 years after planting needs 6.2 pounds of Ammonium Sulfate per year (split into three applications).

Dwarf Improved Meyer – The easiest indoor lemon tree, this cross between lemon and mandarin orange offers sweet, tangy lemons. Dwarf Ponderosa – Another popular indoor choice, this lemon and citron cross bears large lemony fruit.

Light. The key to maximizing growth and fruit production is lots of sunlight. Meyer lemon trees prefer direct sun but can survive in partial shade. Whether you've planted your tree indoors or outdoors, it needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sun per day.

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.

Always wash lemons thoroughly before stashing them away in your freezer. You can also freeze lemon slices to add a spritz of lemon juice to drinks or dishes. To start, place the cut lemons on a freezer-safe parchment-lined tray and freeze until frozen. This ensures your lemon slices don't freeze together.

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.

A Meyer lemon is sweeter and translates better in certain recipes, like desserts. If your recipe calls for the bold, acidic flavor of lemon juice or zest, you won't get the same flavor from a Meyer lemon. Instead, you might have better results substituting lime juice or zest or even a splash of vinegar.