How to Water Citrus Trees

Citrus trees need frequent deep watering to produce a quality crop of fresh fruit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Drip Irrigation
• Garden Hoses And Attachments
• Hose-end Sprinklers
• Mulch
• Shovels

1. Install drip emitters or sprinklers beneath the tree or build a 6 to 8 inch high soil basin around the outside of the tree (just outside the canopy of leaves).
2. Run the emitters or sprinklers until the soil is wet to a depth of 3 to 4 feet.
3. Fill the soil basin with water, let it drain, and repeat at least twice until the soil is wet to a depth of 3 to 4 feet.
4. Check water penetration by pushing a stiff metal bar, wooden dowel or soil probe into the soil. The bar or dowel will move easily through wet soil, stop when it reaches dry.
5. Water again when the top 6 to 8 inches of soil is dry. Most citrus will need water every 8 to 12 days in midsummer. Water less in cooler weather or if it rains.
6. Mulch the area under the canopy with 3 to 4 inches of organic material.
7. Add more emitters or increase the width of the basin as the tree grows.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the area under the tree free of weeds, grass or other plants. They compete for moisture and nutrients.
• Your tree will tell you if it needs water ' the foliage will droop and loose its bright green color, turning a dull, gray green.
• Letting your citrus trees dry out will result in smaller, poor quality fruit

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