Citrus Season

When you think of Citrus, you think of the Mediterranean. Here in New Zealand, Citrus trees are the most common and popular of fruit trees and you see them in every single Kiwi back garden and orchard. The nursery rhyme  ‘Oranges and lemons’ comes to mind and Saint Clement’s bells  I think had a very good reason to ring particularly at this time of year. Winter is Citrus season. I have lemons particularly of the popular Meyer kind growing in the side border.  I should really take more care of them to be honest, a little more pampering, because they’re not at their best, in fact my Meyers are fussy, temperamental and unpredictable and aren’t fruiting or thriving as much as they should be.  I’m aware that it takes a lot of energy to bump up a bumper crop. I’m thinking maybe a wee bit of prune with the secateurs, best done at this time of year especially in the North Island, or just maybe it’s in the wrong place, not getting enough warmth or light? I may have to find it a more favourable spot. Luckily there’s no curling or discolouring of leaves, scabby fruit, leaf loss, mould or insects, it’s just not fruiting as much. Just as well as I don’t have Limes in the garden as they’re the most trickiest.

Oh how I dream of my Meyers looking good, lush, evergreen and fruitful, then the bells of Saint Clement’s will definitely be ringing!