Do I Mulch Citrus Trees in Arizona?

Grapefruit and other citrus crops benefit from Arizona's hot summers and cool winters.

Arizona has the hot, dry climate that citrus trees love for producing sweet, juicy fruit. Citrus trees require large amounts of water, however, so conserving moisture is an important consideration, particularly in the hot months of summer. Citrus generally begin bearing fruit 3 to 5 years after planting. They are cold-sensitive plants that need coverings during periods of frost. Mulching around the base of citrus trees helps to conserve water in drought-prone areas like Arizona.

Citrus Trees in Arizona

The Arizona summer heat produces sugar in citrus fruit, and the cool winter temperatures favor the production of acidic flavors, making some of the best-tasting citrus fruit in the country. Citrus fruits include oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, tangerines and kumquats. All of these fruits come in many different cultivars with varying appearance and taste characteristics. Citrus trees in Arizona contract a number of disease and pest conditions, such as fungus, viruses, nematodes and insects. Growers must carefully monitor trees for signs of problems to apply treatments as early as possible.

Citrus Tree Care

Citrus trees require lots of sunlight and lots of water to grow. Phoenix Tropicals recommends slow-release fertilizers to prevent burning of the trees' roots. Apply this type of fertilizer in March and again in June, during the middle of the growing season. Monthly applications of fish emulsion are another good method of fertilizing citrus trees.

Benefits of Mulch

According to the National Gardening Association, mulching helps to minimize weed growth, hold moisture, moderate soil temperatures and preserve a neat appearance around plants. Choose from either organic mulches, like leaves and bark, or inorganic mulches like gravel, crushed stone and landscape cloth. Organic mulches decompose and add their nutrients to the soil.

Mulch for Citrus Trees

A number of types of mulch are suitable for helping to conserve water in Arizona. Organic mulches like compost and wood chips are good choices for citrus trees. Large chunks of mulch material, such as bark, last the longest, while grass clippings and other fine materials need frequent replacement. An inorganic mulch such as decomposed granite is another good choice. Hand pull the weeds at the base of citrus trees before spreading the mulch. Apply mulch all the way to the drip line, as wide as the branches spread above.

Best Time to Mulch

According to the Gilbert, Ariz. website, the weather heats up considerably in Arizona in June, so it's a good time to spread mulch around citrus trees. Keep trees mulched throughout the summer months. Water the trees deeply twice each week during hot weather and keep 2 to 3 inches of mulch on the ground.

References

• University of Arizona: Disease of Citrus
• Phoenix Tropicals: Growing Citrus in Phoenix, Arizona
• National Gardening Association: Mulching Trees & Shrubs in Phoenix, Arizona
• Gilbert, Arizona:Caring For Citrus In The Low Desert