Style: July 06, 2018

50 STYLE | landscaping
A TOUCH OF
THE MED
Craig Wilson encourages us to turn to
citrus to bring colour, scent and flavour
to our garden.
Perhaps, the most requested edible in garden design is citrus. A lemon or lime has a well-deserved
place in our gardening tradition – and why not? They’re comparatively easy to grow when put in
the right spot and what’s better than popping outside to pick your own homegrown lemon for zesting
or for a slice to accompany your favourite late afternoon drink? If you’ve never had success and want
to give it another go… try these simple tips to have your citrus-of-choice happy, healthy and loaded
with fruit.
1. Pick a spot that will get all-day sun – essential – as well as offer some degree of protection
from winter frost. Place your citrus against a fence or wall of your home to get some degree of
protection from our winter frost. (A frost jacket from your garden retailer may be of benefit.)
2. Ensure your lemon or lime gets a deep, regular watering and a side-dressing of citrus fertiliser to
keep things ticking along nicely.
3. Pick off all the flowers on your freshly planted specimen. The hardest part of the process,
this is a necessary step as it will force the plant to put its energy into growing its root system
and leaf structure. If you can do this for a couple of seasons it’ll be well worth the wait as the
following year will be a flush of flowers with the promise of lots of fruit.
Short on space? Citrus will grow well in a pot – just again make sure you have a regular watering
routine sorted as pots can dry out quickly.
If you’re a bit more adventurous you could try espaliering (training the plant to grow against a wall).
This way you end up with your favourite citrus creating a shiny, green-leaved, fruiting wall. It’ll be the
envy of your garden-savvy neighbours and friends. You could also consider planting a mixed citrus
patchwork hedge of lemon, lime, mandarin and the less well-known lemonade fruit (a mandarin and
lemon hybrid).
Apart from the obvious benefit of the delicious and healthy fruit, citrus can bring other dimensions to
your garden as well. The tangy scent of citrus leaves is so good. The aromatic scent cuts and cleanses
the air. It’s also hard to beat the vibrant bright energy that citrus colour can bring to an otherwise
dormant winter garden. Big, juicy, Mediterranean pops of orange and yellow are welcome in my garden
any time of the year.
Stove top,
oven, to
table
Emile Henry
Total Food Equipment
GIFTWARE HOMEWARE COOKWARE APPLIANCES
218 Moorhouse Ave (by Durham St bridge) • CHCH 366 6912 • www.tfe.co.nz
For the best results, always hire a
Master Painter
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registered Master Painter will make your
investment look better and last longer.
0800 PAINTNZ
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