SHIFTING ROOTS

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Yes! You Can Grow Lemons in Zone 3– Here’s How.

April 9, 2019

When you live in a cold climate like I do, certain plants are just far off dreams. Not all common fruit trees work here and you need to be careful that you get a hardy variety. For a long time I thought growing a lemon tree, or any type of citrus tree, would be impossible–until now.

Let’s get one thing out of the way first–a lemon tree is not going to survive our -40 winters. There’s simply no way to get an outdoor orchard going. However, you can successfully grow Meyer Lemons in pots, putting them outdoors in the summer and bringing them indoors in the winter.

Did you know you can actually grow a Meyer lemon tree in cold climates, like zone 3!?!?  Here's how to grow a lemon tree in a pot indoors as a houseplant, along with care trips.  Then take it outdoors for the summer in your backyard. #lemontree #fruittree #containergardening #canada #zone3

How to Grow a Citrus Tree in a Cold Climate

Ideally you’ll have a south facing window for as much light as possible over the winter, but the direct morning light of an east facing window will also work.

When it’s time to bring the tree out in summer, harden the tree off by setting it out in the shade for a week, before transferring it to a sunny location. After enjoying the summer sun, do the same process for a week before you bring the tree back indoors for the fall and winter.

In zone 3, that means you would harden off the tree the third week of May, leave it outside for the summer, then harden it off the last week of August and bring it indoors the first week of September, just to be safe. Citrus trees can not handle frost, so watch the weather and don’t take any chances.

Did you know you can actually grow a Meyer lemon tree in cold climates, like zone 3!?!?  Here's how to grow a lemon tree in a pot indoors as a houseplant, along with care trips.  Then take it outdoors for the summer in your backyard. #lemontree #fruittree #containergardening #canada #zone3

Watering a Lemon Tree

Lemon trees like to be watered regularly, but not overwatered. Never saturate the roots of a lemon tree, and always let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Terracotta pots can help wick away moisture if you tend to over-water your plants.

Here’s how to grow more hardy fruit trees, and a 6 fruits you can grow from seed.

How to Keep Your Lemon Tree From Dying

A Meyer Lemon tree is generally easy to grow, but there are three things that will kill it: Too much water, not enough light, and too much cold. If the leaves of the plant start to yellow and fall off, one of these these is happening.

If your citrus tree is mildly droopy looking, it just needs some more water and will perk up shortly.

The only exception to this rule is when you bring your lemon tree indoors for the winter. It will droop and possibly lose a few leaves as it is adjusting to the sudden lack of light.

Did you know you can actually grow a Meyer lemon tree in cold climates, like zone 3!?!?  Here's how to grow a lemon tree in a pot indoors as a houseplant, along with care trips.  Then take it outdoors for the summer in your backyard. #lemontree #fruittree #containergardening #canada #zone3

Fertilization, Pruning, and Repotting

For best results fertilize your lemon tree once every 2 weeks from April to September.

Meyer Lemon trees don’t need to be pruned unless you don’t like the shape your tree is going in or some of the top branches are scraggly. Try not to prune the bottom branches, as they usually produce the most fruit.

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Once the lemons set, you may need to remove the smaller lemon buds to make the stronger ones larger. Yes, it will feel terrible, but you’ll thank me when the remaining lemons get larger.

Meyer Lemons are overbearing and self-pollinating, so keep picking the lemons to get more fruit!

Your citrus tree will start to bulge at the top of the pot when it’s time to repot. Add a mix of potting soil and sand, keeping the soil line the same. You can add a thin layer of mulch to the top to help keep in moisture if you like.

Did you know you can actually grow a Meyer lemon tree in cold climates, like zone 3!?!?  Here's how to grow a lemon tree in a pot indoors as a houseplant, along with care trips.  Then take it outdoors for the summer in your backyard. #lemontree #fruittree #containergardening #canada #zone3
Did you know you can actually grow a Meyer lemon tree in cold climates, like zone 3!?!?  Here's how to grow a lemon tree in a pot indoors as a houseplant, along with care trips.  Then take it outdoors for the summer in your backyard. #lemontree #fruittree #containergardening #canada #zone3
Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

4 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorised Tagged: citrus, fruit tree, Lemon

The Secret Posts of Shifting Roots

April 23, 2017

I’ve been keeping secrets from you.

Sometimes I have posts that sit in the draft box forever.  Why do they never come out?  Sometimes I’m not sure if they’re exciting enough or I think they will do better on Pinterest.  I’m also not sure that you want to be subjected to my recipe making jags.  Citrus or zucchini?  Anyone?

Today I’m releasing all my secret posts.  Happy reading!

[Read more…]

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

2 Comments
Filed Under: Fun, Uncategorised Tagged: birthday, citrus, flower arranging, Flowers, fruit water, secret posts

Fresh Citrus Salad: Two Delicious Ways

February 16, 2017

citrus salad

I’ve been posting a lot lately about cookies, cakes and cupcakes, so let’s take a break from all the sweets!  The school I teach at has a citrus fruit fundraiser every year, which means that I end up with a box of grapefruit and oranges that I’m not 100% sure what to do with.  At first I devour them excitedly, but by week two I need to switch things up.

[Read more…]

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Fruit Season, Get Healthy, Recipes, Simple & Easy Tagged: avocado, chicken, citrus, citrus salad, easy, grapefruit, Lettuce, lunch, orange, potluck, recipe, salad, simple

Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes with Citrus Syrup

February 12, 2017

Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes

Need something for your Galentines Day Brunch, or to up your brunch game in general?  This recipe is for you.  The best part is, all you need is your favourite pancake mix, lemons, and chia seeds.

[Read more…]

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

1 Comment
Filed Under: Entertaining, Recipes Tagged: breakfast, Brunch, chia seed, citrus, delicious, easy, Lemon, Pancakes, simple, syrup

Sunny Morning Citrus Juice

February 5, 2017

citrus juice

What do you do when you’ve got a huge box of oranges and grapefruit that you’re sick of eating?  You make this delicious juice.  All you need is a juicer and 5 minutes and you’re done!
[Read more…]

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

1 Comment
Filed Under: Fruit Season, Recipes, Use it up! Tagged: breakfast, citrus, clementine, grapefruit, Juice, Lemon, lime, orange

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Grow roots with us

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

  • 26 Best Flowers to Grow for Dried Flower Arrangements
  • 17 Perennial Flowers That Love Shade
  • How to Design a Cut Flower Garden in Raised Beds
  • How to Start a Cut Flower Garden
  • How to Make Watercolour Decorated Sugar Cookies

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Connect with Shifting Roots On. . .

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Find What You’re Looking For. . .

Privacy Policy

Are you gardening in containers this year? When y Are you gardening in containers this year?  When you're shopping for vegetable seeds, look for varieties that have names with words like patio, tiny, small, etc.  While lots of vegetable varieties will do fine in a container, you'll have an easier time with ones that are specifically bred for that situation.⁠
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📸 by @blushbrandphotography
I'm living the pepper dream in this photo. While I'm living the pepper dream in this photo.  While these ones are a bit on the small side, who doesn't want ripe peppers in July in zone 3?!?! ⁠
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Over the years I've gotten better at growing peppers, and I promise I'll spill my secrets in February when it's actually time to start them.  Until then, get yourself all or one of my four favourite varieties: ⁠
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🌶️Carmen⁠
🌶️Escamillo⁠
🌶️Candy Stripe⁠
🌶️Hungarian Hot Wax⁠
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Do you have a favourite pepper variety?⁠
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Have you flipped open a seed catalogue lately? It Have you flipped open a seed catalogue lately?  It's so easy to get completely overwhelmed, especially if you're new to gardening.  Why are there so many varieties of everything and which ones do I choose?⁠
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Here's how I try to narrow it down.⁠
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🌤️ Short growing season like me?  Try and prioritize varieties that have short dates to maturity.⁠
🥗 What do you or your family actually eat?  While I think you should always try a couple of new things, there's no sense in planting a giant garden filled with vegetables that you're not going to cook with. ⁠
🥒 Do you care whether your vegetables are heirlooms or hybrids?  Heirlooms are the kind that have been around for 50+ years and you can save seeds from.  Believe it or not, this year we're prioritizing hybrids for some of our garden.  The Hermit @mgsraney is obsessed with production this year, so anything that's going in "his" greenhouse better be able to produce a lot.  I'm using more heirlooms in my "glamour garden" as we call it, because I want things that are pretty and I can save seeds from.⁠
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What do you prioritize when you're picking out seeds?⁠
Last week we started thinking about our plans for Last week we started thinking about our plans for cut flower gardening, now this week we start thinking about plans for our vegetable gardens.  Unlike cut flowers, there's not as many vegetables that need to be started ridiculously early.  However, it's still fun to plan and dream and get your thoughts sorted.⁠
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I'm curious--what size of garden do you have to work with?  Are you on an acreage or farm, city backyard, or do you have a couple of pots on an apartment patio?⁠
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As for me, I have quite a mix.  I have my container garden on my backyard deck, the small cut flower garden in my yard, then vegetables in raised beds.  We also garden at my Mother-in-law's acreage, so there's a giant garden over there where we're figuring out how to grow food on a larger scale.  Then finally, sometimes my Mom grows things for me in her garden if I'm nervous that I'll ruin them in my own garden--call it a backup garden if you will.⁠
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📸 by @blushbrandphotography
I hope you've enjoyed this week of chatting about I hope you've enjoyed this week of chatting about the best flowers to plant in a cut flower garden.  There's so many options, these 5 that I talked about all week don't even come close.  If you need more help creating a small cut flower garden, I created this plan intended for a raised bed (but you can plant it in-ground too.⁠
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Head over to my insta links page on my profile, and you'll see the button to click on that will take you directly to it.⁠
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#cutflowergarden #cutflowers #raisedbedgarden #raisedbedgardening  #growyourown #greenthumb #raisedbeds #urbangarden #urbanfarm #squarefootgardening #slowflowers
Hey friends! There's a lot of new faces in this l Hey friends!  There's a lot of new faces in this little corner of IG, so I wanted to introduce myself.  My name is Kristen and I'm the gardener & content creator behind Shifting Roots.  I'm wife to @mgsraney and mom to 3 kids, ages 8, 23 months and 7 months.  Needless to say, our house is BUSY.  I garden in zone 3 in Saskatoon, SK, so if I can grow it in my short growing season and cold temperatures, you probably can too.⁠
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Here's a few fun facts, can you relate to any of these?⁠
🍅I don't like raw tomatoes, but I grow a ton of them because I like tomato sauce.⁠
💐I probably sound like every flower is my favourite flower, but my two favourites are peonies and zinnias.⁠
🌈I can't pick a favourite colour--I love so many of them in different circumstances.  If you force me to choose, I think I've got it narrowed down to coral and turquoise, but even then I still want to throw in yellow, emerald green, fuchsia. . . ⁠
🖤Even though I love colour to the moon and back, you'll often find me wearing black and white in real life, because it's just easier and I don't have to think about it going together.
When you think of rudbeckia, do you think of those When you think of rudbeckia, do you think of those maybe-slightly-boring flowers with yellow petals and a brown centre? (Please don't come at me with your pitchforks if that's your favourite flower!!)⁠
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Rudbeckias, like these orange and burgundy ones, can be so much more!  Pair them with sunflowers & amaranth for an especially striking late summer bouquet.⁠
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🤞I'll have amaranth and sunflowers this year to play around with.⁠
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Need help planning the cut flower garden of your dreams?  It doesn't have to be complicated.  Grab your copy of Cut Flowers Made Simple and have pails of flowers like this one at your fingertips.⁠
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See my link in bio and click on the ebooks button.
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