How To Care For Your Lemon Tree Indoors During The Winter

I wonder if the lemon tree I have will grow to such proportions like those pictured above- wow! My Meyers lemon tree had a rough start to the Winter because I forgot to bring it in before the temps fell below freezing. When I finally brought it in (it was already in a container), it had lost quite a number of leaves. However, I've been giving it extra attention and the first thing I did was find  nice sunny window spot for it and now it's looking much better and even sprouting new buds.

I recently shared a pic of my lemon tree on Instagram and apparently many of you wanted to know how to care for a lemon tree during the Winter months. I did some research and here are some great tips from Anna at Daves Garden:  

Choosing The Pot

If your lemon tree was planted in the ground, you'll need to pot it in a container. Dwarf citrus trees do not grow as large as their full-size relatives, thanks to their dwarf rootstock. To accommodate your citrus tree, choose a pot that is slightly larger than your tree’s root ball. Your pot can be ceramic, plastic, or clay, depending on your taste, but keep in mind that you will need to move your pot around occasionally and a lighter material is easier to maneuver.

Watch the Water

Citrus trees like well-drained soils because they don’t like to have wet feet. Hanging around in soggy soil increases your tree’s risk of disease. Most indoor citrus growers can get away with watering only once a week in the winter when your tree is dormant. Keep your pot on the dry side of moist and your plant will thrive. If you’re worried about overwatering, try using a soil moisture meter.

Citrus trees might like drier soils, but they don’t like dry air. Place a humidifier near your citrus tree or put a tray with pebbles beneath your pot and fill it with water. As long as the bottom of the pot is not sitting directly in the water, this will help keep the tree humid.

Citrus Soil Requirements

Citrus trees have their own unique soil preferences. I will be the first to admit that I buy pre-mixed potting soil designed for citrus trees when I can find it so that I am sure I am giving my plants the right mix and soil pH. Citrus trees like well-drained, slightly acidic soils. If you can’t find a citrus mix, add sand to standard potting soil to improve its drainage or place pebbles in the bottom of the pot.

You can also give your plants a boost with a specialized citrus fertilizer. I find that adding a fertilizer once a month is the easiest way for me to keep track of my tree’s nutritional needs and keeps them happy and healthy until the spring.

The Transition

Remember how moving towns as a child felt like your parents had ripped you out of a comfortable environment full of familiar friends and places and dropped you into a terrifying and strange new land? Your citrus tree will feel the same way if you don’t transition it slowly, complete with that same wilting feeling you had on your first day at a new school.

A few weeks before the first frost, start moving your citrus tree into the shade in the afternoon. Do this for two weeks, then leave it in total shade for two more. This helps your plant adjust to the lower light levels of its new indoor environment.

Get Rid Of Unwanted House Guests

Your citrus tree is a Trojan horse for unwanted pests. Right before you bring it inside for good, take the time to do a little cleaning. Spraying your tree’s leaves and trunk down with a hose will remove some of the pests. Once your tree dries, treat it with an insecticidal soap to kill any remaining bugs and bring it indoors.

Aphids, spider mites, scale bugs, and other pests can pose potential problems for indoor fruit trees. Keep an eye out for these pests and treat your tree with a horticultural oil or other pest control method.

Location Matters

 Place your tree by a sunny window, preferably facing south. If you have a greenhouse, sunroom, or solarium, even better, but a sunny window will do for most plants. If you live in a far north climate and want to add more light, install a grow light near your citrus tree to give it a boost.

I hope you find these tips useful. I've found that my lemon tree also acts as an air freshener. I love getting a whiff of it as I walk by the space it's in. xx


images: {pinterest, gardensalive}

How to Create an Effective To-Do List.

To maximize my productivity, I had to recently reevaluate my strategies. My first priority was tackling the to do list with things that never seem to get accomplished.

How To Create an Effective To-Do List

Shorten your list. I realize I was being unrealistic by placing up to 10 things that I wanted to tackle in a day. Who was I kidding? Maybe if I had a clone... Limit your list to three things and stay focused on accomplishing those tasks.

Don't Procrastinate. I've fostered a "seize the day" kind of attitude so after my early morning Mommy duties, I turn my attention to my list and start working on the first thing listed. Before noon, I've already accomplished one task or sometimes two depending on the schedule. 

Estimate Time. How long will it take to accomplish each task? For me, it doesn't make sense to plan on being productive once the boys are home from school and one only goes twice per week for 4 hours. Therefore, i have to be realistic about how much time I have and how much I can accomplish with the hours in my day. 

Plan ahead. Utilize the day or evening before to compile your list. 

When I use to teach, I always had my lessoned plan ahead of time. Imagine going to teach a class and not being prepared? The same thing applies here. Have your to do list completed so you so you are prepared for tackling it the following morning.

The end of a productive day! 

Here's to a productive week for you all. xx

Pics: Tiffany Parsons

Trim Touch-Ups and Molding Make-Overs: A Guest Post

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Much like the effect created by a hand with painted fingernails, the trim and molding in your

home can either elevate or cheapen the look of a room in one fell swoop.

Think about it: people who chew their nails try to hide that fact by slapping on a coat (or five)

of paint. But that superficial bandage doesn't address the root of the problem...they're still nail

biters!

Inevitably, those who bite their nails wind up chipping the paint, and at the end of the day, they'd

have been better off leaving their nails bare because all the painting did was draw attention to the

poor condition of the nails.

The bottom line is that painting your fingernails only works when the underlying nails are in

great condition, and this philosophy also applies to the trim and molding in a room.

If you try to hide the underlying damage to your woodwork - like scratches, dents and dings –

by slathering on coat after coat of paint, you merely highlight the problems instead of concealing

them.

Fortunately, you don't have to scrap your trim and start from scratch because the medicine for

what ails your molding is within your grasp!

Here are some inexpensive ways to repair your room's trim and molding to make even the worst

woodwork look flashy, pampered and polished in a flash!

Trim Toolkit

Here are some of the tools you should have at the ready when you're undertaking a trim or

molding repair:

Wood Putty/Filler

There are tons of wood repair products available on the market in a multitude of colors (premixed to match your existing wood stains) but a safe bet for an all-purpose trim repair product

is one in a natural color. This way, you can repair your gouges and paint over them without

worrying about color inconsistencies.

*Tip: Using a more substantial product like wood putty or filler is great for pet-originated issues

like chewed up baseboards or trim that has been used as a scratching post.

Putty Knife

A putty knife is something everyone should have, whether they own or rent, due to the multifunctional aspects of this handy little tool. Not only can you apply wood filler to damaged trim,

but you can also use it to fix holes in drywall, as well as many other DIY repair projects.

And the best part is that a plastic one (2" wide or less) can be had for about a buck!

Sandpaper

You can use either sandpaper or a sanding sponge for your trim repair toolkit, just be sure you

use one designed for "fine" sanding.

An easy to use option is a dual-angled sponge that allows you to address the decorative crevices

in your woodwork as well as the flat surfaces.

Wet Sponge

A wet sponge is always good to have on hand during molding repair for a number of reasons,

the main one being clean-up. For example, if you need to tighten up the perimeter of a repair job

(too much caulking or wood filler smeared around the edges, etc.), a damp sponge wipes away

any excess.

*Tip: A quick wipe with a wet sponge before you sand will help keep the dust to a minimum!

Caulking

This is an essential item for your DIY arsenal! Not only can you use caulking to repair cosmetic

issues with your trim, but you can also use it to weatherize your doors and windows – leading to

even more savings now and in the future!

Moreover, caulking will solve many woodwork inconsistencies all on its own:

• Use a bead of caulking to seal gaps in between window ledges and the rest of the

casement.

• Caulking fills in the small holes that result from nailing in your baseboards and shoe

molding/quarter round.

• If you have mitered edges that do not line up exactly, a quick application of caulking can

create the appearance of perfect alignment.

*Tip: If you're repairing trim or molding in the bathroom, use a mold and mildew-resistant

caulking that addresses those ever-present bathroom concerns due to the heightened humidity

and moisture levels.

Paint

Classic white paint for your trim and molding provides that traditional elegance and makes your

doors and windows really pop!

However, you can use creativity when painting your trim and go with whatever color speaks to

you!

Once they are fully repaired, paint your wood trim pieces with a semi-gloss finish to really make

them shine.

A good practice is to work in an entire house woodwork wipe down every couple of months (or

more frequently depending on your individual circumstances – pets, kids, messy husbands, etc.).

Sure, it's more work up front but it could save you tons of time and expense in the long run!

What are some of the ways you have repaired damaged trim and molding in your home?

Thank you so much Angelo for such an informative post!
 Angelo DiGangi is a Home Depot sales associate in the Chicago suburbs and is a frequent

contributor on windows and doors on Home Depot's website. Angelo provides tips on both

exterior and interior doors, as well as DIY advice on topics related to molding and other trim. Blessings and a wonderful day to everyone. XX

{images: nicety_journal}

Blogging Tip.

Being yourself might not make you popular, but authenticity is more important in my book. It makes for more lasting and meaningful relationships in the long run. I love my little blog circle; old and new friends.  Blessings and have a beautiful day everyone! xx

How I Clean My Terracotta Pots.

Unfortunately I left some of my pots out in the elements and as a result, I had to give them a good cleaning before planting.

Very Simple Cleaning Tips:

• I filled a spray bottle with 50/50 percent solution of water and vinegar
• I used one of those non abrasive scouring pads  to scrub and that’s it! You can also use a bottle cleaning brush or other type of brush to scour away the grime. Personally, I don’t strive for a glistening clean pot on the outside. However, it’s a great idea to get all that stuff out from the inside before doing any fresh planting.

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Sending lots of healing love and light to all affected by this disaster in Oklahoma. It’s all been so overwhelmingly heartbreaking to watch.

Blessings and Happy Tuesday everyone. XX