Citrus in Spring – Why Now is the Perfect Time to Grow Your Own

As winter comes to an end and the days begin to warm up, there is no better time to start thinking about citrus.

Late August marks the beginning of a fantastic period in the garden. Warmer soil, longer days and the return of active growth make spring an ideal time to plant, feed and prepare your citrus for the growing season ahead.

Whether you have a large backyard, a small garden or simply a sunny patio, there is a citrus tree to suit your space.

And this spring, we have something new at Bamboo Down Under — our Piccolo Citrus range.

Meet the New Piccolo Citrus Range

Our new Piccolo range brings together a selection of citrus varieties that are perfect for home gardens and, particularly, growing in pots.

The range includes:

• Mandarin

• Orange

• Lime

• Lemon

• Cumquat

• Grapefruit

  
  

Dwarf and compact citrus varieties are a fantastic option when space is limited. Growing citrus in pots also makes it easier to position your tree where it will receive plenty of sunshine, while keeping its size manageable.

With the right care, a potted citrus tree can become both a productive fruit tree and an attractive feature for your outdoor space.

Why Spring is a Great Time for Citrus

Citrus are hungry plants, and as they move into their active growing period they benefit from good nutrition, adequate moisture and plenty of sunshine.

Spring is a great time to give established citrus a fresh start with a quality citrus fertiliser and to make sure the soil around the root zone is well watered and healthy. Citrus generally benefit from regular feeding throughout the warmer growing months.

It is also a good time to look at the overall shape of your tree. Light pruning can help maintain a manageable size, improve airflow and remove damaged, dead or crossing growth. Avoid heavy pruning simply for the sake of shaping — citrus generally respond best to sensible, light maintenance.

Planting Citrus in the Garden

If you're planting citrus into the garden this spring, choose a position that receives plenty of sunlight and has good drainage.

Prepare the soil before planting and give your new tree plenty of room to establish its roots. Once planted, water it in thoroughly and keep an eye on moisture levels while it settles into its new home.

A good layer of mulch around the tree can also help retain moisture and keep the root zone more consistent as temperatures rise — just keep mulch away from direct contact with the trunk.

Growing Citrus in Pots

One of the biggest advantages of our Piccolo Citrus range is that many of these compact varieties are ideal for pots.

Growing citrus in containers is a great solution for courtyards, patios, balconies and smaller gardens. Choose a good-sized pot with plenty of drainage and use a quality potting mix suited to citrus and fruit trees.

Position your pot somewhere sunny, water regularly and remember that plants grown in containers have a limited supply of nutrients, so regular feeding becomes particularly important.

The bonus? You can enjoy the look, fragrance and fruit of your own citrus tree without needing a huge garden.

A Few Simple Citrus Tips

Getting great results from citrus doesn't have to be complicated.

☀️ Give them sunshine Citrus love plenty of sunlight, so choose the brightest practical position in your garden.

💧 Water consistently Newly planted and potted citrus need regular watering, particularly as the weather warms up. Don't allow them to remain constantly waterlogged.

🌱 Feed during the growing season Spring is the perfect time to start a regular feeding routine with a quality citrus fertiliser.

✂️ Keep them tidy Remove dead or damaged growth and lightly shape established trees where needed. Good airflow and a manageable shape will make your tree easier to care for.

🪴 Remember your pots Potted citrus need good drainage, regular watering and regular feeding because they have a limited growing environment.

Come and Find Your Piccolo Citrus

If you've been thinking about growing your own lemons, limes, mandarins or oranges, now is the perfect time to get started.

Our new Piccolo Citrus range is available now at Bamboo Down Under, with Mandarin, Orange, Lime, Lemon, Cumquat and Grapefruit varieties to choose from.

Not sure which one is right for you? Our team at the Garden Centre can help you choose the right citrus for your garden, pot, position and growing conditions.

And if you're looking for even more inspiration, our Spring Festival is happening this weekend — Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August.

Come along, explore the Garden Centre, check out our new-season plants and see what is happening as we head into spring.

Spring is here — and it's time to get growing!

Visit Bamboo Down Under and discover our new Piccolo Citrus range today.