Growing Your Own Meyer Lemon Tree (NAPSA)—Theculinary explosion has turned manyof us into foodies. As a result, there’s a greater emphasis on buying locally grown fruits and vegetables. For more than 16 million U.S. households, that means tak- ing the next step to grow their own fruit trees such as Meyer lemons. Meyer lemons have become quite popular in this country thanks to celebrity chefs. Meyer lemonsare actually a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. They have a smooth, golden-yellow skin. “Meyer lemons have a sweeter juice, thin peel and a more floral scent than other lemon varieties,” says Lance Walheim, Bayer Advanced™ Garden Expert, author of “Citrus” and himself a citrus farmer. “They can be used to enhance thetaste of fish and vegetables. They can also be used to make great-tasting lemonade, marmalade, pudding and pies. Better yet, Meyer lemons are easy to grow.” Things to know before you grow: Meyer lemon trees perform best with full sun—at least eight hours a day—and they can tolerate temperatures as low as 25 degrees. They grow best in welldrained soil and generally reach 8-10 feettall. Infrequent, deep waterings are better than frequent, shallow Meyer lemons are easy to grow. They enhancethe taste of food and can be used to make great desserts. sprinklings. Deeper watering promotes deeper root growth and helps strengthen yourtree. Fertilize regularly. Watch out for yellow leaves. That can be a sign of overwatering, under-watering or not enough fertilizing. They’re also a warning sign for pests such as aphids, leafhoppers or whiteflies that can damage your Meyer lemontree. One new product on the market is Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control. It’s formulated for use on more than 100 fruit, vegetable and citrus plants, including Meyer lemon trees. Just mix in a watering can and pour around the base of the tree to kill destructive insects and prevent new infestations all season long. Be sure to read and follow all label directions. Visit BayerAdvanced.com for more gardening tips and how-to videos or call (877) BAYERAG.
