Grow Citrus at Home in Atlanta & Georgia
Citrus in ATLANTA?! That’s right! As our temperatures trend warmer, we think all of these citrus will be more reliable producers in the Atlanta area, but some patience and extra care may be needed! Here are some resources to get you started:
Listen to our Citrus Q&A with 1DogVentures Georgia’s premier citrus nursery on Instagram.
Gardeners’ Growing Citrus in Containers: https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/citrus-in-planters/7933.html
Planting Citrus in the Ground in Georgia from UGA Extension: https://site.extension.uga.edu/evansag/2020/12/planting-citrus-for-backyard-fruit/
Lemonorlime should not be planted outside in Atlanta. This should be planted in a pot and brought inside during the winter.
While the Grapefruit and Lemon varieties we sold are some of the most cold hardy, it will be a risk to plant them outside in the Atlanta area and we can’t necessarily recommend it (but if you do try it - let us know!). If you choose to take that risk, plant them in full sun along a south or southwest facing wall and preferably on the topside of the slope to give it a warmer microclimate. They will need special care in the winter as well.
Learn more about creating a microclimate here. While this was created for California specifically, this is a microclimate site evaluation form that may be helpful when you consider your the best spot in your snackyard for different citrus.
Loquats, Kumquats, and Satsumas are the most cold hardy citrus but will also benefit from a microclimate if possible to allow for fruit production. They should also be given special care in the first couple of winters as they get established on your site.
Protecting your in-ground Citrus in the Winter: When frosts are anticipated, especially in the low 20s or teens, you can mulch them, give them a deep watering, and cover them with frost tarp. This is especially important in the first couple of years. As temperatures continue to trend warmer in our region, we believe all of these will be more reliable producers in the coming years.
Have questions or tips to share about growing citrus in Atlanta or Georgia? Share them in the comments!
Garden On, Y’all!
