How to Plant an Orange Tree in the Spring

Orange trees can be planted in spring to develop strong root systems that will help the tree survive winter frosts.

Orange trees are a type of citrus fruit tree that originated in the tropics. In the United States, the tree grows well along the southern and western coastlines of the United States. When planting an orange tree, select nursery trees that have been grafted onto orange tree root stock. Trees grown from seed may not produce oranges for up to 20 years, while grafted trees produce fruit in 3 to 5 years. Spring is a good time to plant orange trees. The trees can develop extensive root systems over the summer to help them survive winter frosts.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Bucket
• Plastic bag
• Rototiller
• Compost
• Composted manure
• Peat moss
• Sulfur
• Lime
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Select a location for your orange tree in full sun with well-drained soil. The south-facing side of a hill is an ideal location for orange trees.

2. Collect soil samples from your proposed orange tree location. Dig 1 quart of soil from up to 10 locations around your tree’s planting site. Mix the soil in a bucket and remove all debris such as sticks, roots and dead vegetation. Allow the soil sample to dry and collect a cup of soil in a sandwich bag. Take the soil to your county extension service. An agent with the extension service will help you submit the soil sample to an approved soil laboratory such as one run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or an agricultural university. The soil test will indicate the pH level and soil structure of your sample.

3. Break up the ground to a depth of 12 inches over a wide area to prepare the soil bed. Orange trees prepared over a narrow planting hole will not develop extensive roots. This is known as the potted plant effect.

4. Spread a 4-inch layer of soil amendments over your soil. Good amendments for orange trees include compost, composted manure and peat moss. Organic amendments such as these will help improve drainage in heavy clay soils such as the kind found in Texas, and increase moisture retention and add nutrients in sandy soils such as those found in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Other good amendments include sulfur to lower the pH of soil or lime to raise the pH.

5. Mix the amendments into the soil with a rototiller.

6. Dig a planting hole for the orange tree that is slightly wider than the tree’s root ball. Set orange trees so that the planting hole is 2 inches shallower than the root ball. This will help prevent root rot in the orange trees.

7. Place the orange tree into the planting hole and fill in around the sides with soil.

8. Pile soil in a ring that is 2 feet wide and several inches high around the root ball. Water the tree by filling the ring with water and allowing it to soak into the ground. By the time the ring has dissolved, the tree’s roots will be established.

9. Water the orange tree every few days for the first 2 weeks. The soil should remain as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Gradually decrease watering to every 10 days. When the soil ring vanishes, you can stop watering the tree in all but drought conditions.

References

• Texas A&M University Extension: Home Fruit Production - Citrus
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Citrus
• University of Florida IFAS Extension:Your Florida Dooryard Citrus Guide - Young Tree Care

Resources

• North Dakota State University Extension: Questions on: Orange