Growing Citrus in the ground in Northern Climates

Description: Part 1 of how to grow citrus and other tropical plants outdoors in the ground. Your host Gary L. Heilig, Horticulture Educator MSU Extension Ingham County (retired).

[@animerlon]

Your dedication brought tears to my eyes, just 2 years to enjoy retirement is tragic. Your nicknames made me smile though, so it balanced out. This is my first time watching you & enjoyed listening to you explain your experiment. The method & reasoning were clearly presented. Happily, being late to the party allows me to follow your progress without having to wait for following videos to be uploaded.

[@JAWZMUZIK1]

You are a beginning of a movement my friend.

[@GaryHeilig]

For those who really like citrus, the movement is from Michigan to Florida (he he) I dream of the day that I might pull this off.

[@vizbit]

" Things " will grow for you, not only due to your expertise but also because of your kind demeanor. A great awareness of temperature, patience & temperament!!! 👨🏻‍🏫👨🏻‍🏫🎯🎯🏆🏆

[@deperivianimae43]

I love when someone makes a video and completely knows what they are talking about! Even if they are just experimenting and playing around. You are very intelligent and informative and I like your encouraging demeanor. Thanks for this video, and for explaining what all the obstacles are, and how you think you can overcome them. KZbin needs more people like you.

[@robertdaniels1442]

Sir..... you are far out into your craft. It is my goal to reach your level. I actually just planted my 2 year old 8ft avocado from pit in my new house back yard last week..... so far so good, no shock. And may we all see each other in the KINGDOM. Thank you for the passion.

[@bridgetswan1774]

Someone my husband knows here in Western North Carolina, Zone 7, told him there was an lemon tree planted in the ground at the house he moved into years ago. He said the tree gives fruit and then the leaves die in the winter but come back in the spring! He showed him pictures!

[@06asheville]

What an excellent video. Can’t wait to see your progress.

[@debrascott8775]

This is the first video of yours I've come across, from 5 years ago...can't wait to see how it has gone!

[@JasonWalkerTN]

This is excellent and the graceful comment regarding your secretary wonderful.

[@vickiwarner7667]

Hi Gary, back again, after commenting 11 months ago. I’m in a true 8 zone in Canada, so can get away with a bit more than you when it comes to protection. My lime and lemon trees came through the winter and are looking good. They even flowered and set fruit during the cold time. I used a strand of old fashioned Christmas lights and wound it around them, made a rough structure using a couple of metal tomato supports cut in two, and covered the whole thing with three layers of Remay cloth held on by clothes pins. It does sound primitive and crazy, but it worked. I mulched with pads of newspaper and fir bark. My new problem is to figure out how I could grow my grafted Mexicola avocado outside! I’m going to find your other videos in hopes you’ll give me inspiration there too! Great, clear videos. You are a kindred spirit!

[@ladonhilley461]

Thank you Sir for all of the information.

[@thelearninghomestead3266]

What an amazing instructor you are! probably the clearest and most instructive I've seen on youtube!

[@de8517]

The Learning Homestead -- Agree totally!!!! Clear & concise & a good Instructor.

[@HoneyBaer]

Go Gary Go!! I'm in zone 7b and I'm so eager to see how this turns out as bringing in my citrus trees is getting laborious too!!

[@GaryHeilig]

I am working on the greenhouse now. It is taking longer than I thought. \A video on this project is in the works.

[@MMbrown7532]

Indeed. I replied to you once on Reddit about our Zone. Good luck this year.

[@pedroaguirre926]

I really like the way you pruned your trees

[@tedburner7662]

If I could would have given a 2nd like even for the precious text at the end, regards Frank

[@maccliff2115]

You get it guy! You are giving me the confidence to grow citrus 🍊 in North Texas

[@roadrebels1]

I’m in Michigan and am extremely excited about following you on this experimental journey!

[@jcomm120]

In northern-central France, I was hoping to find a video like this. Thanks so much for sharing your so useful expertise!!!♡♧♡

[@dibalowen7074]

I am totally impressed and interested in how this project turned out. Searching for the follow-up video now :-)

[@geaj4214]

This is awesome, thank you for sharing.

[@BustandBoom]

Looking forward to watching the rest of your videos and most importantly I'm sorry for the loss of your friend... Peter

[@77grundy]

Hi Gary. When can we (your excited viewers) expect part 2? Many of us haven't been able to sleep since you posted part 1 :-). Thanks.

[@GaryHeilig]

Sorry about the loss of sleep, Two is up now, 3 and 4 are in the works. We are now getting our first big snow storm and the trees are still alive.

[@davidantill6949]

Excellent stuff. Push the boundaries

[@janedagger]

Oh.... heck yeah. I"m moving back to NY state and wanna take my lemon trees :) Thank you so much sir !!!! You ... so rocketh.

[@TJ-um8ce]

Yike... who would actually move BACK to New York?! 😂

[@williejohnson5172]

Compost gets crazy hot. Dig a deep ring around your tree, about a foot or two back from your root zone. No insulation needed . Fill with about 50/50 wood chip and grass. If you can't get enough grass buy some alfalfa pellets. Mound up a lot of the mix around your tree. Make sure its wet. You got heat for much of the winter. If the temperature drops in the pile just touch it up with a few more alfalfa pellets.

[@gardencrusade7466]

You are one of my heroes! You music rocks hard too! I wanna do this exact thing.

[@jasandper]

Great idea to insulate the root ball but what about the branching and all that’s above the soil that’s susceptible to dying in freezing temps?

[@vizbit]

Gary, Does the use of a COLD FRAME to grow CITRUS work for the branching and all that’s above the soil?, as in the "Extreme Zone Pushing Part 2, Growing White Bird of Paradise Zone 5B Canada" video.

[@JT-ok6re]

I'm excited to see Gary your experment!

[@de8517]

We're in a similar zone & snow in the Northwest. I'm intrigued by what you are growing in your weather climate/zone. Thank you, sir, for posting the video! Wish you success in your endeavors. Please keep posting your progress with the greenhouse, fruit trees, and the Geothermal heating.

[@luemn7691]

Thanks for the video!been trying to research planting citrus in ground in non hardy zones. Looks like you must be the only one with information about this topic. Muchas gracias!!!

[@wendyjomendy]

I like the background music its cute. Lightening and thunder sounded like a lot of fun if not based on the names of the duo. By signs of the times we will be going home soon where you both will probably be the only lightening and thunder we get up there-- God bless you!

[@hudsontoo1212]

Good video. Nice tribute at end

[@ingeneren]

such creative ideas. I too am in Michigan (Northern zone 5) I will be trying these methods. Thank you so much!!! :-)

[@fluterific00]

I think I accidentally started a couple of orange trees. Going to see what I can do with them. Thanks for the tips.

[@mavisrogers8797]

I’m in Michigan as well zone 6a and I just started some grapefruit seeds. This is very helpful

[@GaryHeilig]

Please consider buying a tree. You ca find just about anything by searching the internet. From seed it can take 7-10 years to get fruit and you won't know its quality until then. The investment is worth the time you will save.

[@veganchiefwarrior6444]

awesome man, dam this video 5 years old howd you go? im havin mad trouble getting my citrus to grow in tasmania against a steel fence, maybe not enough sun or heat, we dont really get hot here just warm so yeah, they been in ground 3 years and look exactly the same as when i first put them in lol one of them looks worse but just seems to hang on and survive somehow, they seem to handle the frosts here in a mild winter

[@vickiwarner7667]

Loved this, Gary! I keep racking my brains to figure out how to do this too. My lime and lemon are getting too big for me to physically drag them out or in with the seasons. Love the hole: what a great idea. I’m in Canada, but in a very mild area. I’m presently figuring out how to dig two holes on my south facing wall, and plan to make a structure and poly curtain from my roof edge over it. Then comes the heating. I’m thinking of a soil cable and a couple of light bulbs. I must be nuts! Gonna try it though.

[@GaryHeilig]

The heating cables will keep the soil warm but I suggest calculating the cost first. If you have problems doing that let me know. The Christmas type lighting works better in the southern part of the US where the temps rarely approach freezing but it will not work where people get a real winter.

[@natemurphy4367]

How is it working for you? I’m in Washington state and just planted five lemons around my property in different spots just experimenting I have a myer lemon in my green house planted in the ground it’s doing ok year three

[@marklawrence76]

New Subscriber. Keep the videos coming

[@MattyDemello]

Awesome. Im in Massachusetts and i bought an awari Satsuma tree. So far its exploding with new growth BUT i know its going to be a real challenge keeping it alive and producing. I have my fingers crossed and said a little prayer. I really hope i can succeed with it. It absolutely would be worth the extra extra work and effort if it will produce. Ill be using frost blankets with heating pads on a thermo cube outlet so it goes on automatically below 40 or so. Wish me luck.

[@rd4469]

I just discovered your channel tonight. I'm so glad I stumbled across it. I'm trying to grow a measly Meyers lemon tree in Zone 7b...I've already killed one. I need to binge on your video's to learn as much as I can. Keep the video's coming sir. I will definitely watch. I've subscribed and hit the notification button.

[@thatansarilife5460]

I have a Meyers lemon and a lime in-ground in zone 7A that I want to winterize. How’d yours turn out since your last post? What did you do to it?Thank you!🙂

[@rd4469]

@@thatansarilife5460 I killed the tree. I bought it indoors and put it in the garage to over winter it but it didn't survive. I truly believe it was my inexperience.

[@thatansarilife5460]

@@rd4469 Aww! I’m sorry to hear that😕 Well, here goes nothing!🤷🏽‍♀️🙂

[@markmenapace1705]

Great experiment! Hoping it works great!

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

You have my interest! I have citrus in containers and a greenhouse... i'd love to grow in ground!

[@Howtofarmandgarden]

Great video! I am looking forward to seeing what you accomplish.

[@jamesalanstephensmith7930]

Good luck! Looking forward to doing something similar myself!

[@GaryHeilig]

It has been difficult, but i keep trying.

[@shawnbaraw2637]

Very interesting keep it up please

[@OlObuffalo]

I like this tricky project and your stealthy video music

[@williamwoody7607]

Thinky project-I’m glad KZbin recommended it.My sympathy for your’ loss.

[@krystenchambers7748]

Use heating wire before the cold comes. Wrap it up the tree and of course burlap bags stuffed with leaves. As well as a plastic personal hot house or personal plastic "greenhouse". 4 board posts with thick plastic that wraps around. I loveee your genius idea. I grew my Fig tree in a tube free kratky system my next move is trying to keep it outside but not sure yet. I have thought about a similar grave like contraption that ur talking about. I would definitely recommend heating wire. Also check flow hives❤❤❤

[@GaryHeilig]

Because of how cold it gets here, it probably would not work, but I am working on other ideas

[@sharoncourt75]

I plant a small fig, zone 6 last year the roots look alive nut so far is April and no leaves? Also i ha years ago a Has avocado in Alabama i think zone 8, the tree was advertise to be cold hardy to 22 degrees, i keep it in a pot for 2 years and brough in sunny familyroom, the 3d year i put it in my neigbhoor glass sunroom, we had 1 cold day and been close to the glass the leafes got really sad and started to fall off and died 😑 3 years babyn the Has

[@vizbit]

Love your individual plant greenhouse / "cold-frame" idea !

[@danacarbone9405]

Wanting to know how the experiment went!

[@deemee7329]

Any new videos with the results ?

[@ofon2000]

I'm 20 seconds into the video and already subbed and liked...thanks!

[@raddasra7084]

Really helpful video and i am very exciting and hope for the best, good explanation and thinking! i really enjoy it. Im in a colder climate and looking for ways to grow the plants i want.

[@soriahhowell3521]

Found you and your experiment fascinating. Binge watching all your videos. New subscriber 😁

[@stevenp3756]

Gary you're my hero!!!

[@rbear4574]

I had a Meyer lemon for years but had to give it up due to my age and lack of room to put it in my garages with all my other potted plants. Would to grow one in the ground. I'm in Ma.zone 6

[@angelapalmer9062]

Amazing video thank you

[@kiteclem35]

excellent :) ! . Can you give us updates of your system and Citrus ? Is it still alive ? Thx sir

[@BigAlSparks]

Folks, use your branch loppers to cut open a plant pot if you have to cut it. Sharpening chains takes longer than the time saved in cutting. safer too!

[@EmilianoRodriguez-jn1qk]

Sounds interesting! Good luck

[@GaryHeilig]

Thank you for watching and your comments

[@ZIlberbot]

thank you for this quite scientific and interesting video, I hope your experiment went well 👍

[@GaryHeilig]

It was going very well until one Christmas day. I was making rather merry and forgot to check the fuel level in the heater.I made a video called Christmas Day Disaster. Enough said.

[@NMW80]

I love this. I love to also push the boundaries and hey if we don’t try they will never adapt and get used to the climates we bring them into. I think over time they will slowly adapt to the colder weather. I live in a cool temperate zone in Australia and I grow avocados and citrus here too. I know we are not as cold as you guys get but we do get below zero sometimes and get some frosts each year. So yeah I have a greenhouse for some of the avocados which are not as cold hardy (lamb hass and Pinkerton) I’m also getting a wurtz. I am looking for seeds from pure Mexican avocados like Mexicola etc. I can’t find them in Australia anywhere which is ridiculous but I hope to one day get some imported and grow some cold hardy types here for us aussies that live down south where it’s colder. I can’t wait to see your future videos. I am thinking of making videos one day too with growing avocados, citrus etc and all sorts of other edibles in a cold climate.

[@harryverner6218]

Use a solar pop can heater. No cost after build. I would use mylar blankets to make mirrors to direct more sun on heaters. Instead of pop cans maybe something out of concrete that can hold heat longer. Good luck. Those lemons will flower on & off year round

[@veganchiefwarrior6444]

thanks for the message at the end man, eyes are a little watery lol im an emotional person

[@gerryroberts662]

I love this video. i am thinking of gorwing my own citrus tree also, only thing we can seem to grow is apples in mass. i was also thikning of growing peanuts. and that didn't work..

[@linnyw1072]

If you graft the citrus to a flying dragon citrus it will survive better...also planting as permaculture works well... Building alogs twigs leaves grass then filled in with top soil creates a constantly decomposing compost heap that generates heat keeping the roots warm through winter.

[@harryverner6218]

Mix in foam with potting soil. Any foam. Just break it up. They already add it to some soil. It helps wit airation also. I live in zone 5 & i kno those trees are heavy to bring in. Especially with unexpected cold snaps in spring going in & out multiple times. What are your plans for these negative 50s we been getting lately

[@barryharvey7934]

Hi I've got a small young lemon tree about 4foot high, in the summer it had about 8 lemons all still green some the size of a golf ball but never fully ripened probably because summer ended. I put tree in a self made greenhouse made from thick polythene for the winter, now in February it still has the unripe lemons on, it's lost a few leaves some have turned a touch yellow. My question is do I leave the old green coloured lemons on the tree or take them off. Thanks dawn

[@nakosimpson7459]

Hey I have a question the orange mini tree could survive 90 to 80 or it would burn it

[@666Necropsy]

any update on this project. just learned about the Flying Dragon (Trifoliate Orange)

[@GaryHeilig]

I posted 7 videos in this playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLvu2j4vrfiZJ9ESjFPi8rHHur1irq6w4F I lost the tree Christmas day when I forget to check the fuel level in the greenhouse heater, a fatal error in my climate. I am current growing 4 avocado trees and a Lisbon lemon in pots. I currently plan to keep them in pots for a few years. I hope to come up with a better plan when they get to big for the pots. I will report as I do this. Thanks for watching.

[@niaelbryant2336]

Thanks for video. Will try fruit trees in VA.

[@felipefigueroa9449]

Good job I Agree

[@imnjoy]

Is this method work for you? I would like to know the result. Thank you for idea, time and great video

[@mirandaontheverandah]

Love this project. I’m trying Calamondin in Zone 9 (on a verandah outside all year). What are my chances?

[@darrelcdammann]

Nice I'll have to try that👍

[@evasho6162]

It’s a lot of work if put the Lemon tree in the outdoor 👌

[@BeginnerGardenerZ8B]

Hi there, new to the channel and I wanted to know if you had a video updating your findings?

[@diablominero]

Some mandarin cultivars, kumquats and hybrids (like orangequats), ichang papedas and hybrids (like yuzus), and bitter trifoliate oranges and hybrids (like citrumelos) are all far more tolerant of cold and frost than the idea of "tropical plants" would suggest.

[@TurtleNugget]

Nice content! How did it work out? 😄

[@TheOpelkoenjas]

Awesome idea about the insulator IN the ground. It doesn't get THAT cold here (9a zone, Western Europe), but temperatures do drop to and below freezing point during winters for awhile, long enough to destroy young tropical loving plants. BUT I do have a question about that one tho: won't the tree get root bounded after a while? That insulator doesn't allow roots to grow past it. Or do you take it out ones the plant has gotten a substantial length? Cheers.

[@dwightleverett1661]

I'm very curious on how your citrus trees are doing I'm in the midwest as well and I would like to do Meyer lemons

[@GOK_333]

Did the experiment work? Thanks

[@subzerorzgaming6320]

Where's part 2?

[@michiganhuntandfish5531]

very cool

[@77grundy]

Very interested to see how this turns out. I am in zone 2 Saskatchewan, Canada, and want to be able to grow some apples that are only really hardy to zone 5, maybe zone 4. Would be great to be able to do this without too much effort and cost!

[@rodney73991]

great ideas. special like insulating hole. you got one problem when build green house need build two of then one around tree. maybe tent or movable one put over green house. the resion is fruit going ready pick in middle winter and if don't rember put door on it. it hard get fruit. if open snow ground could put tree shock or lose all heat. second green house over top will make double pan window be better for tree. i think take jake mace winterize vediow add think layer mulch use 4 wooden stakes wraps plastic. then build bigger green house around that that be how get fruit with freezing. if got tree make movable. i bought green house tent that big and in room that perfect for when need get fruit buy garden works sell at menaredes. witch kind like if lowes and meijers stores had baby . should near you.

[@dalewoods7308]

Just the video I was looking for I'm from Michigan my self

[@fl7886]

Its too cold in mochigan in winter

[@learning2growmyown]

So did the tree make through the winter ?

[@coldtinna]

Can't wait to see east greenhouse 👍🏻

[@GaryHeilig]

It's all closed in now, But I have much to do inside.Videos are being put together now.

[@coldtinna]

I've been growing in a pot & have 2 lemons the size of quarters green & tree isn't one yr.yet? Almost! I'm so surprised

[@GaryHeilig]

Just remember If the tree is small you will sacrifice vegetative growth (branches and leaves) if you allow fruit to grow on a tree that is too small to support fruit production.

[@PawPawMountain]

Looking forward to see your results! Sorry about Your Secretary.

[@slapshot1x]

I have a lime tree growing in Grand Rapids...Go blue!

[@jessicathayer3151]

Chris Penney wow! I’m in Grand Rapids and want to know your secrets.

[@AdamSPARTAN76]

Go green!

[@donx03]

Would you consider any other insulation? Or a sunken greenhouse - geodesic dome partially covered by soil?

[@eznuggetz6743]

That's what i was thinking. probably near southern wall of the house. Sink it about 10 ft and you only need a normal height greenhouse to accommodate a couple trees.

[@waynegraham293]

Good luck sir. Hope it works live in same zone. Canada/ southern Ontario

[@GaryHeilig]

Thank you. FYI I can't believe how much you look like my younger brother Freaky!

[@ginglyjoe2659]

Wayne Graham, did you bring your tree in the house? I have one in a half barrel way to heavy to keep moving in and out. When you store it, does it get any light?

[@WesleyAPEX]

Only way it's going to work is if you plant it next to your house against a south facing wall

[@bleumiette]

WesleyAPEX true

[@daisymonsalve1485]

I discovered a good compilation of videos that will help on Grape grower folio

[@FatJesusLive]

South West is actually a good location I live in Virginia and somehow the Sun just hooks around towards the west for 6 to 10 hours, the problem is the cold. It all depends on the plant. If it can survive the cold test. I cover them during the frost.

[@RonSafreed]

There is a family of citrus that is deciduous & takes temps down to minus 20 F, the citrange & its rootstock is used for making tender citrus more hardy!!!!!! The Meyer lemon down to 14-18 F & the Harvey lemon down to 10F !!!!! These are a few examples !!!!

[@cynthiafordsigers]

Im in zone 7 and just recently transplanted my seed grown citrus from pot to ground in my back yard facing the south. I must laugh at myself because I thrown all my seeds from foods I eat into pots just to give them a chance at life and I do not remember if this is a lime, lemon, orange, tangerine or what.We shall see, I HOPE

[@mariusdinca176]

In zone 7 you van grow trifoliate orange in the soil with no protection whatsoever

[@brendagranados6846]

Dude I love you ❤

[@aftech7268]

Its been 3 years How did it go ?

[@natemurphy4367]

Any updates on the citrus trees

[@ofon2000]

Could you tell us the music track? Really nice sounding, sir.

[@allisonburkholder]

Hi there Gary! It's been a long time since we worked together on the urban gardener class. I moved to California and I have this friend with what we think is a citrus tree. Look like limes, but inside the seeds are flat like a cantaloupe and it doesn't seem like a citrus flesh. Any idea what that could be?

[@GaryHeilig]

It is not likely to be a lime. I would have to see some pictures to tell what it is.

[@Badboyifier]

I wonder how it turned out