What Lemon Trees Need in August: 5 Easy Tasks That Guarantee Juicy Harvests in the Coming Months

Late summer can be a tricky period for gardening. Temperatures may be as high as they were in July or beginning to drop. Your area might be in a drought or getting rain. This is a crucial time for most lemon trees, as the fruits are ripening. For some varieties, like Meyer lemons, they may be ready to harvest as soon as late August.

August lemon tree care depends on your region’s conditions, but often includes extra watering and keeping developing fruits safe from extreme temperatures. You could mostly leave your trees alone right now, but these few simple tasks will reduce stress, improve fruit quality, and improve overall health for this year and next.

Let's see which tasks are worth the squeeze (pun intended) in August.

1. Water Deeply But Not Frequently

Unless it’s raining regularly in your garden, your lemon tree will appreciate a deep soaking about once a week. For most gardeners, August is hot, which means the soil around your tree’s roots will dry out more quickly. A regular but not daily soaking is better for the roots and the tree than daily light watering. The exception is a potted tree, which might need water every day. We love this citrus tree planter from Vego because it is a self-watering container so you don't have to worry about a sudden dry spell or heat wave. (It also has wheels to make it easy to move indoors as the weather cools!)

The best way to tell if your lemon tree needs some water is to stick your finger in the soil. If the first couple of inches (5 cm) are dry, it’s time to water again. Give the tree a good soaking in the morning to reduce water lost to evaporation.

2. Refresh the Mulch to Keep Roots Cool

While the summer heat blazes on, your trees can easily get stressed. Late summer heat is especially risky for citrus trees, which have shallow roots. Overheated and stressed roots can affect the entire plant, including fruit development.

If you don’t have mulch around your tree, add some. If you already have mulch, now is a good time to check it for thin spots and add fresh mulch as needed. Use wood chips, shredded bark, or compost and aim for a layer about two to four inches (5 to 10 cm) deep out to the drip line. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Potted trees can also benefit from mulch.

3. Fertilize, But Gently

Citrus trees are heavy feeders. They benefit from regular fertilizer application throughout the summer to support healthy growth and fruit development. Balance is important, though. Too much fertilizer can damage a tree. If you applied a slow-release fertilizer in June or July, don’t feed your tree now.

If you have been using a liquid or diluted fertilizer throughout the summer, carry on applying it now. If the weather is particularly hot and dry, hold off until temperatures cool a little, and you can ensure your tree will get enough water.

Use a balanced citrus fertilizer, and if you’re unsure if your tree really needs it, dilute to half strength before applying. This GrowScripts citrus tree care kit from Fast Growing Trees has everything you need and a care calendar to help take the guesswork out of fertilizing.

4. Check for Pests

Late summer weather can be ideal for lemon tree pests, so take the time to check leaves and fruits for them. Look for aphids, spider mites, scale, and citrus leaf miners. The latter are most commonly seen on new growth. Look at both sides of leaves, as pests often infest the undersides.

In addition to the pests themselves, some signs they are present include curling leaves, sticky honeydew with ants, webbing, and silvery trails. If you see pests or their signs, you can use organic solutions, like neem oil or insecticidal soap, to manage them. Content Editor Kathleen Walters has been using Garden Safe brand insecticidal soap from Amazon for years with great success.

A strong blast with the hose can also be effective at dislodging many pests. Early treatment is best, but also keep in mind that healthy, well-watered trees not stressed by the heat are better prepared to resist pest damage.

5. Pruning vs. Fruit Protection

A period of summer heat is not the best time to prune a citrus tree, as this can lead to additional stress. However, it’s beneficial at any time of year to remove any damaged part of the tree, including damaged fruits, which can leave the door open to disease. You can also remove water sprouts at the base of the trunk.

In addition to avoiding stress, not heavily pruning now is important because the canopy of the tree protects developing fruit from extreme heat. While lemon trees thrive in sun and warm climates, extreme temperatures can be damaging. Any fruit exposed to the sun during a heat wave can get burned, causing scorched and patchy skin. Leave your tree’s canopy in place for now.

August doesn’t require any major changes in care for your lemon trees. Mostly, you’re continuing what you’ve been doing all summer, making adjustments for extreme weather conditions or if you see pests.

Spend a little extra time providing water during dry, hot conditions, refreshing mulch, and checking for signs of pests, and your tree should continue to ripen healthy, juicy lemons, soon to be ready for harvesting.