How to Grow Washington Navel Orange Trees in California

Sweet, seedless Washington navel oranges launched California's citrus industry.

The famous Southern California citrus industry got its start thanks to Eliza Tibbets, who planted three imported orange trees in Riverside, California, in the 1870s. The sweet, seedless, bright-orange fruit produced by the two surviving trees and their cloned descendants soon became a nationwide sensation, and the Washington navel was launched. Originally named the Riverside orange by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, California growers living elsewhere protested and the name was soon changed to honor George Washington, the first U.S. president.

Things You'll Need

• Washington navel tree or trees
• Garden shovel
• Garden gloves
• Citrus fertilizer
• Loppers
• Hand pruners

Instructions

1. Choose a planting area that's warm and sunny with rich, well-drained soil. Southern exposures close to the house offer some protection from frosts. Temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit will damage fruit and trees. Plant at least 6 feet from a house, driveway or sidewalk.

2. Dig a planting hole the same depth as the tree in its container. When the tree is planted, the top of the root ball should be even with the surrounding ground--or an inch or so higher--to protect against damage to the bud graft and moisture-related root diseases.

3. Slide the tree carefully out of its pot. Place the root ball in the center of the hole. Lightly cover the top of the root ball with soil in order to seal it. Back fill the hole evenly and tamp down soil on the sides. Water thoroughly, completely soaking the roots.

4. Water young citrus carefully for the first month--two or three times the first week after planting, and twice each week for the next few weeks. Continue to irrigate as needed, depending on rainfall, season and other circumstances.

5. Weed as needed, either by hand or using a hoe. Unwanted vegetation competes for water and nutrients, and can harbor diseases and pests.

6. Fertilize new trees only when new growth begins, and apply commercial citrus fertilizer monthly around the tree's drip line throughout the growing season and every few months otherwise. For first-year trees, each month apply 1 cup of fertilizer featuring 8 to 13 percent nitrogen or 1/2 cup of those with 17 to 21 percent nitrogen. Use 2 cups or 1 cup per month, respectively, for second-year trees, and 4 cups or 2 cups for third-year trees. Follow product directions thereafter, and be sure to fertilize with nitrogen-rich fertilizers in advance of bloom periods.

7. Provide branch supports to prevent splitting or breaking when trees start producing heavy crops--usually after a tree's first three years--and thin fruit as needed to minimize weight on tree branches.

8. Prune only to control tree size and to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches.

9. Protect trees from freezing temperatures, using covers, heaters, and wind and overhead irrigation techniques as recommended for your area. Your local Master Gardener can offer specific advice. Also thoroughly water citrus trees before hard freezes.

Tips & Warnings

• To make sure young citrus trees get enough--but not too much--water for developing roots, at planting build a temporary earthen watering ring or moat system around each tree to direct water downward.

• Washington navels do well in containers on patios and decks, and dwarf varieties are available, too. The roots are more exposed to freezing temperatures, however, so move plants indoors temporarily for winter protection.

References

• Texas A&M University Extension: Home Fruit Production - Citrus
• Sunkist: How Citrus Trees are Grown
• University of California Riverside: Citrus Varieties - Washington Navel
• Los Angeles Times: A Navel Worth Gazing At: Tree Made History