There’s nothing better than fresh lemons to use for cooking or even just to make an ice-cold glass of lemonade. Fortunately, the Central Coast region is one of the few lucky places in the United States where you can grow your own lemons without a lot of fuss. With a little bit of knowledge, you can have fresh lemons right from your own backyard!

Cold Hardiness Zones

Before you select a lemon tree from a local nursery, you’ll need to learn a little bit about USDA cold hardiness zones. These are temperature zones established by the USDA that show the lowest winter temperatures of a region, and they’re what you’ll use to find lemon trees that will thrive in your area. The Central Coast region is mostly rated for hardiness zones 8b, 9a and 9b, which see yearly low temperatures of 15 degrees, 20 degrees and 25 degrees respectively. However, there are a few isolated places that are rated for cold hardiness zone 10a, which means yearly low temperatures of 30 degrees.

Most lemon trees will grow without protection against the cold in zones that are rated for 9b and higher. If you’re in zone 8b or 9a, you’ll need to look for a particularly cold-hardy variety, or you’ll have to plant your lemon tree in an area that is well protected from frost, such as on a southern-facing slope or near a building.

Caring for a Lemon Tree

Lemon trees can grow in most types of soil, but they prefer a soil that is well drained and slightly acidic – a soil pH that ranges between 5.5 and 6.5 is perfect. They’ll also need a spot that gets full sun, and if you want to plant more than one, make sure they’re spaced approximately 12 feet apart. You can expect to harvest your first lemons three to six years after you’ve planted your seedling.

Make sure to keep the ground around the base of your lemon tree mulched, and starting 12 inches away from the tree’s trunk, put down a layer of compost that is four to six inches deep. You can prune your lemon tree in the spring, once the danger of a frost has passed. When the lemons ripen, you can leave them on the tree for several weeks, only picking them as you need them.

Plant a lemon tree, and you’ll have all the fresh lemons you can eat! These plants also turn into pretty little trees and shrubs that look great in any landscape.