The Ingredient You'll Want To Reach For When Growing A Lemon Tree

Growing citrus trees can be a wonderfully rewarding experience, whether they're strong and mighty in your tropical climate, or more modest potted plants in your bright kitchen. Lemon trees add a colorful yellow pop to their delicate green leaves, elevating the aesthetic of any room and offering edible fruit for culinary adventures. One ingredient you probably already have in your refrigerator that can unexpectedly boost the health of your tree is yogurt.

Yogurt is often used as a natural remedy to enhance the health and provide proper care for your lemon trees. Adding yogurt to the soil around a lemon tree can foster a healthier and more robust environment for growth. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria, such as lactobacillus, which act as probiotics in the soil. These bacteria help create a balanced and healthy microbial community in the soil, aiding in nutrient absorption and promoting the development of beneficial fungi.

Additionally, yogurt works as a natural fertilizer (essentially a source of organic matter), providing necessary nutrients to the soil. Over time, yogurt releases nutrients like nitrogen, which is vital for the growth and health of lemon trees. The slow release of this nutrient from the breakdown of yogurt can sustain the tree's nutritional needs over an extended period, supporting steady and continuous growth. So next time you head to the fridge for a healthy snack, consider saving a serving for your hungry lemon tree.

To apply yogurt to the soil of a lemon tree, start by creating a yogurt solution. Mix plain, unsweetened yogurt with water to create a liquid mixture. A typical ratio might be one cup of yogurt to one quart of water. This dilution helps in evenly distributing the beneficial bacteria and nutrients to the soil without overwhelming the area. Stir the yogurt and water thoroughly until well combined to ensure an even distribution of the probiotics in the solution. Diluting the yogurt in water will also help to reduce the unpleasant smell that dairy can leave behind when it sits outside.

Once the solution is prepared, apply it around the base of the lemon tree. Gently pour the yogurt mixture onto the soil, ensuring it reaches the root zone. A slow and steady application is ideal to allow the soil to absorb the solution effectively and prevent runoff.

Generally, it's recommended to apply the yogurt solution to the soil every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. However, observe the tree's response and the condition of the soil. If the tree shows signs of improved health, such as vibrant foliage and robust growth, continue the application at the same interval. If there's no notable improvement or if the soil appears to be healthy, reduce the frequency to once every few months to maintain the soil's microbial balance and nutrient content.