How to grow lemons in a raised bed
Outdoors year-round only in zone 9 and warmer. Elsewhere, keep it in a pot and bring it in for winter.
Spacing1 plant per 2 × 2 ft
How to startPlant young plants (sold at garden centers)
When to plantAbout 2 weeks after your last spring frost
Time to harvestFrom the second year
Grows toAbout 4 ft tall
Comes back each year inZones 9–11
When to plant lemons in your zone
Dates are based on the average frost dates for each zone. Don't know your zone? Enter your ZIP code in the planner.
| Zone | Start seeds indoors | Plant in the bed | Plant again for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 3b | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 4a | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 4b | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 5a | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 5b | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 6a | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 6b | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 7a | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 7b | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 8a | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 8b | Winters usually too cold; grow in a pot brought indoors | ||
| Zone 9a | — | Mar 15 | — |
| Zone 9b | — | Mar 1 | — |
| Zone 10a | — | Feb 14 | — |
| Zone 10b | — | Jan 29 | — |
Tips for raised beds
- Give each plant a 2 × 2 ft space in the bed.
- It grows tall, so put it on the north side of the bed where it will not shade shorter plants.
- Most vegetables and fruit need at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
Where to buy lemon plants
Burpee · True Leaf Market · Botanical Interests
Plan where your lemons go. Pick your bed size and material, choose your plants, and get a printable plan with measurements, a shopping list and planting dates for your ZIP code. Free, no sign-up.
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