A gamboge tree ’s lack of frigid tolerance is one of the basal factor that determine where the tree can be rise successfully . In most parts of Alabama , winter temperature are simply too inhuman to allow gardeners to plantlemon treesin - primer in their garden . In the affectionate parts of the state , however , the most dusty - hardy type of lemon may be capable to exist the wintertime outside if give equal protective cover . Elsewhere in the state , develop trees in movable container is an alternative .
Lemons and Hardiness Zones
Lemons(Citrus limon ) are loosely hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zona 9a through 11 , and they may die if unwrap to temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit .
In Alabama , the climate ranges from USDA zona 7 in the northern part of the state , north of Tuscaloosa , to zone 8 in most of the rest of the state . Only a very modest part of extreme southern Alabama , the coastal area to the south of Mobile , falls into USDA zone 9a . In this zone , the middling minimal temperature lay out between 20 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit , so growing lemon trees outdoors is speculative even here .
Varieties for Alabama
Themost cold - hardy type of lemonis a loan-blend , the * * Meyer gamboge * * ( Citrus x meyeri ) , and it ’s the mixture most likely to be able to withstand winters in south Alabama . Meyer lemon is , like other type of lemon , faithfully hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11 , but it is more resistant of cold temperatures than most other varieties and will fare better when temperature are near freeze .
Other varieties of dead on target lemons , such as * * ' Lisbon ' * * ( Citrus limon’Lisbon ' ) and * * ' Eureka ' * * ( Citrus limon’Eureka ' ) , can also be successfully acquire in Alabama , let in the northern portion of the Department of State , provided they’regrown in containers and taken insidewhen temperatures come .
Protection From Cold
Lemons grow best when daytime temperatures are in the seventy and nighttime temperature remain in the high 50s . When temperature fall into the low 50s , tree may go torpid and contain growing , and when temperature fall into the 40s , injury to the tree diagram is a possibility .
To protect an in - ground tree less than 5 years previous from winter dusty , stilt soil around the bole to a acme of 15 inches in the fall , and remove the soil as soon as block peril has passed in the spring . A polypropylene cover over the tree ’s canopy can also help to protect leaves from freezing temperature .
To shieldcontainer - grow treesfrom inhuman temperature , bring them indoors and place them near a sunny window when temperatures flow to 40 degrees F.
