What to Do With Lemon Trees in June for a Tart & Tasty Harvest – 6 Easy Tasks to Set Up Plants for the Rest of Summer

Lemon tree growth really takes off in June. As summer gets underway, the days are getting longer, the sun is more intense, and temperatures are starting to soar. Paying lemon trees a little extra attention during this period of accelerating growth is important.

The lemon tree care you provide now will lead to healthier foliage, better fruit development, and fewer problems later. It doesn’t take much to give trees a big boost at this point in the season.

Follow these easy June care tips for your lemon tree – and any other citrus you grow – and your branches will be full of juicy fruit in no time.

Latest Videos From

1. Move Potted Trees to Full Sun

Lemon trees thrive in full sun, especially during the active growing season. Full sun is necessary for healthy, strong growth, flower development, and fruit. If you grow a lemon tree in a pot, you have the flexibility to move it around to find the sun.

If you had your potted lemon tree indoors to stay warm during the dormant season, you should have started transitioning it outside in late spring. The exact timing depends on your local climate and weather, but generally, citrus trees should go outside after the danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures are around 50°F (10°C).

By June, your tree should be ready to move to a spot where it can soak up 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Once you’ve transitioned your plant by placing the pot outdoors for a few hours a day, find it a full sun spot for the rest of the summer. A heavy-duty plant caddy, like this one from Amazon, makes moving large pots much easier.

2. Water Deeply & Consistently

As temperatures rise in June, watering citrus trees becomes increasingly important. The soil dries out more quickly and your tree uses more water as it puts out new growth. So in June, it’s time to increase how much water you provide.

For in-ground lemon trees, focus on watering deeply once or twice a week. Deep watering encourages strong root growth and ensures the soil won’t dry out too quickly. Soil in pots dries out much more quickly, so you’ll likely need to water a container tree daily during this time of year. Check the soil in the pot and water as needed. It should stay consistently moist but not soggy.

Signs of underwatering in citrus trees include dry soil, curled leaves, and fruit dropping early. Signs you might be overwatering include yellowing leaves and soil that is wet or soggy rather than lightly moist. If you need to repot or refresh your potted tree’s soil, that’s a great time to mix in some water-storing crystals like these from Miracle-Gro. They help soil in potted plants stay at the proper moisture level.

3. Add Mulch

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to add a layer of mulch around your lemon tree. A 2 to 4-inch (5-10 cm) layer of mulch helps keep moisture in the soil. Citrus trees grow best with consistent moisture. Mulch also stabilizes soil temperatures during the soaring summer heat. Finally, a good layer of mulch helps keep down weeds.

Replace or refresh any old mulch around your tree or add a layer of new mulch if you have never mulched before. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk of the tree. Moisture trapped against the trunk can lead to rot.

The best mulch to use is one that is organic and will naturally break down and add nutrients back into the soil. This organic mulch from the Home Depot is a great choice.

4. Fertilize for Summer Growth

You probably started feeding your lemon tree back in May, but if not then now is the time to start. Regular feeding helps your tree put out more new, strong growth. It also supports flower and fruit development to ensure you get the best possible harvest.

The simplest way to fertilize a lemon tree is to find a product specifically designed for citrus trees, like this one from Espoma. These fertilizers have nitrogen to promote new growth. Citrus trees also have a particular need for the micronutrients iron and magnesium.

How and when you feed your lemon tree depends on whether you use a liquid or slow-release fertilizer. The latter is best for in-ground trees, while liquid fertilizers work well for potted trees. In either case, follow the product’s instructions. Resist the urge to overfeed. Overfertilizing can damage roots or even reduce the fruit harvest by promoting foliage over flowering.

5. Watch for Pests

Summer is the time for your tree to thrive, but insects also thrive with the increased warmth and light. Inspect your tree regularly in June to catch and manage any common lemon pests early, before they become unmanageable and destructive.

Some typical pests of lemon trees are aphids, scale, mites, and citrus leaf miners. Look for the pests themselves, including on the undersides of leaves, as well as signs of pest damage. This could be sticky residue, curled leaves, sooty mold, or speckling on leaves.

A spray of water can usually dislodge pests and end a light infestation. You can also try neem oil or insecticidal soap, both of which are available from Amazon.

6. Thin Out Fruit Clusters

Depending on where you garden, you might already see fruit clusters on your lemon trees in June. While it’s fun to see all the potential new lemons, too many fruits can actually stress a tree. This is especially true for young trees and small potted trees. Branches holding big clusters of lemons now may break under the weight later as the lemons grow larger.

Thin out a few of the smallest lemons from any emerging clusters. In addition to protecting the branches, this will improve the quality of the remaining fruits. Thinning out citrus trees also provides more airflow, which reduces the risk of rot and other common lemon diseases.

June is one of the most important months of the year for lemon tree care. Regular water, fertilizer application, pest management, and fruit thinning will ensure your tree grows strong and healthy through the hottest part of the year, resulting in a good harvest of juicy, tasty fruits.