Mature lemon trees need a little 2 inches of water (5 cm) once every two weeks. Give newly planted lemon trees 2 inches (5 cm) of water every week to help them get established. The watering needs of lemon trees change as they grow. The season matters, too. Always water your trees at soil level all the way out to the dripline. The soil should stay evenly moist, but not get soggy. You can overwater your lemon trees if you don’t take the right approach. So, always check the soil moisture level before watering.
How Much Water Do Lemon Trees Need Per Day?
Daily watering is not necessary for lemon trees. Give newly planted lemon trees 2 inches (5 cm) of water per week for the first year. The extra water helps the roots get established. This will allow you to reduce watering later, since your trees will be able to pull water from the ground themselves.
- You do not need to water your lemon trees on a daily basis.
- Give young lemon trees 2 inches (5 cm) of water per week.
- Mature lemon trees need 2 inches (5 cm) of water provided once every two weeks.
- Increase how often you water your trees whenever temperatures rise above 90℉ (32℃).
Mature lemon trees require up to 60 inches (150 cm) of water per year. You should water them once every two weeks. The size of the tree determines how much water to add. A tree with a 14-foot canopy, for example, needs 30 gallons (110 liters) of water at each watering session. Increase the watering frequency to once per week when temperatures rise above 90℉ (32℃) to keep the soil moist.
How Do You Water Lemon Trees?
Water your lemon trees whenever the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil feels dry. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to water your trees properly. Water all the way out past the dripline of the tree canopy. Otherwise, the critical root zone will not get enough water and nutrients.
- Water your lemon trees whenever the top 2 inches of soil feels dry.
- Apply the water using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system.
- Coil a soaker hose in a spiral from the base of the tree out to the edge of the branch canopy.
- Space the coils of the hose 12 inches (30 cm) apart to allow for even soil watering.
- Water with the soaker hose for 30 minutes each time your lemon tree needs water.
In order to use a soaker hose to water your lemon tree, coil the hose so that it is in concentric circles spiraling out as wide as the spread of the branches. The hose spirals should be spaced 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Then, water for 30 minutes each watering session to provide adequate water.
Do Lemon Trees Like Wet or Dry Soil?
Lemon trees do not like overly wet or dry soil. The soil should stay consistently moist for the best results. Waterlogged soil will seriously damage the roots over time. The tree will not survive with damaged roots.
- Lemon trees do not prefer soil that’s overly wet or too dry.
- The soil should stay consistently moist all throughout the year.
- Waterlogged soil will seriously damage the roots and kill the tree.
- Check the soil moisture level before watering your lemon trees.
- Use this soil moisture meter or your finger to test the top 2 inches (5 cm) for dryness before watering.
Check the soil moisture level out to the dripline before watering your lemon trees. Use a soil moisture meter to get accurate results on demand. Otherwise, push your finger into the soil. If the soil feels dry at a depth of 2 inches (5 cm)—or if the soil moisture meter reads “dry” when inserted to this depth—it’s time to water your lemon tree.
- Measure the moisture in your soil.
- Portable and easy to place anywhere in your garden.
- No batteries are needed.
Can You Overwater Lemon Trees?
You can overwater lemon trees if you give them water too often. The amount of water lemon trees need changes through the years and from season to season. During spring and fall, one 30-minute watering session with a soaker hose is required every two weeks. During the height of summer, you may need to increase this to one watering session per week. When winter arrives, you can reduce or pause watering if your trees are getting natural water from rainfall.
- You can easily overwater your lemon trees.
- The amount of water to give your trees changes through the years.
- Young trees need 2 inches (5 cm) of water per week.
- Mature trees need 2 inches of water every two weeks.
- Double watering frequency when summer temperatures climb above 90℉ (32℃).
Giving your trees too much water results in damage to the roots. The waterlogged roots cannot absorb enough oxygen to start. Nutrient uptake decreases as the excess water flushes out the soil. The leaves start to droop first. Then, the roots will rot, resulting in the death of the tree.
How Do You Know If Lemon Trees Need Water?
Lemon trees need water when the soil feels dry 2 inches (5 cm) below the surface. Poke your finger in the soil around your tree to see if it feels moist. If not, then it’s time to water your tree. Use a soil moisture meter for more accurate results.
- Lemon trees need water whenever the soil starts to feel dry at 2 inches (5 cm) in depth.
- Use your finger or a soil moisture meter to gauge the soil moisture level.
- The leaves on your lemon trees will curl without enough water.
- Damage to the leaves occurs due to the effects of drought stress.
The leaves will start to curl when your lemon tree doesn’t get enough water. Then, they will start to feel dry and crisp before falling off. The damage to the leaves occurs due to drought stress. If these signs are present, you must water your lemon tree right away to keep it from dying.
Does a Lemon Tree Require Lots of Water?
Lemon trees need enough water to keep the soil moist at all times. In order to achieve this, follow these tips:
- Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to evenly provide water to the area beneath the entire lemon tree branch canopy.
- For the first year after planting, water with a soaker hose for 30 minutes once per week.
- Once your tree has been established for a year, reduce watering to 30 minutes with a soaker hose every two weeks.
- Double watering frequency when summer temperatures rise above 90℉ (32℃).
- Reduce watering during winter or rainy periods to prevent overwatering.
- Overwatered lemon trees will fail to pull in oxygen and die.
- Underwatered lemon trees will lose their leaves and die if they are not saved with quick watering.
When you take the time to get your watering methods dialed in, your lemon trees will produce lots of fruit. You can then enjoy it fresh, preserve your lemons for later, or share the bounty with your neighbors.
