The Lemon Trees Say "It Is Spring!"

   After the fiasco of the past few days of toting the plants out of the greenhouse then back in again, I am tempted to do the same again.  Should I?  Should I trust that our warming trend is going to last?  It is far too difficult as an old lady to lug the huge pots but I do want the plants to be happy.  I have been trying to thin the "herd" by giving plants to friends and family but they are in the same quandary.  Is it spring?  Probably not but the plants have no idea.

  This morning when I stepped into the greenhouse, a lovely scent surrounded me.  While I like the scent of plants, this was captivating!  I knew exactly what was happening and it was far too early.  The lemon trees that were not set in the ground last year, were all blooming...inside the greenhouse.  This is fine and dandy except there are very few pollinators willing to stay trapped inside.  These plants need to be outside!

  For the past few years, the same thing has happened.  All of the fruit trees bloom early and then a late freeze takes most of the fruit.  Mom always called that the "Easter Freeze" and would scold Pop for planting tomatoes in the fields too early.  I take after Pop.  I get antsy just sitting around waiting for the seasons to change.  Plant!  Plant!  Plant!  Yep, I do have tomato seedlings already in tiny pots waiting for the proper time (or when I get tired of seeing them "cooped up" in the greenhouse.)  I am indeed pushing the season.  In the meantime, however, the greenhouse has never smelled so nice!  Think I shall linger there a bit longer each morning.

Lemony Goodness!

   Imagine my surprise at entering the tumble-down greenhouse (due to Hurricane Zeta and other priorities) to be confronted by a most delicious aroma!  Out of desperation, I had lugged all of the potted lemon trees into the poor greenhouse back before a bad freeze and then promptly forgot about them.  Sad to say, I even forgot to water them for the past month!  How did the trees reward me for being so neglectful?  By blooming, of course!  The trees are covered with blossoms!  Sweet!

  It is not my nature to keep trees in pots for long but these had to be moved due to work on the house.  It was either try to salvage the trees by potting or cut them to the ground.  I tried and the trees are doing well.  I thought this was to be a temporary situation but it has turned into something a bit longer than anticipated.  Today, as I walked among the half dozen trees, I promised to transplant them during next winter as it is too late now.  The season of setting fruit is upon us not transplanting. 

  So, I lugged the trees back outside and gave them a good dousing with the water hose.  That will do for a bit since we are to have stormy weather in two days.  Then, the trees will get the soaking they deserve!  Several handfuls of fertilizer before the rain will assure good nutrients for their roots.  Perhaps a few lemons will set for this fall!  It is all about those lemons!