General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 2. Protect Protect from heavy frost should it occur. 3. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  February 1. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 2. Protect Protect from heavy frost should it occur. 3. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  March 1. Buy Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. 3. Fertilize Feed with a fertilizer specially formulated for citrus. 4. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 5. Mulch Maintain a generous layer of mulch to conserve water use and keep roots evenly moist. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. 7. Treat for Pest/Disease Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. 8. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  April 1. Buy Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. 3. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. 6. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  May 1. Buy Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. 3. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 4. Prune Prune to shape only. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. 7. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  June 1. Buy Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. 3. Fertilize Feed with a fertilizer specially formulated for citrus. 4. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 5. Mulch Maintain a generous layer of mulch to conserve water use and keep roots evenly moist. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. 7. Treat for Pest/Disease Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. 8. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  July 1. Buy Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. 3. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. 6. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  August 1. Buy Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. 3. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. 6. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  September 1. Buy Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. 3. Fertilize Feed with a fertilizer specially formulated for citrus. 4. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 5. Prune Prune to shape only. 6. Mulch Maintain a generous layer of mulch to conserve water use and keep roots evenly moist. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. 9. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  October 1. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 2. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. 3. Treat for Pest/Disease Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. 4. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  November 1. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 2. Protect Protect from heavy frost should it occur. 3. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

  December 1. Water Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. 2. Protect Protect from heavy frost should it occur. 3. Harvest If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! March Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. April Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. May Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. June Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. July Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. August Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. September Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth. October Buy plants in containers. Choose healthy plants with lots of new growth.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? March Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. April Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. May Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. June Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. July Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. August Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor. September Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, using a generous amount of soil amendment. Never plant where drainage is poor.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? March Feed with a fertilizer specially formulated for citrus. June Feed with a fertilizer specially formulated for citrus. September Feed with a fertilizer specially formulated for citrus.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. February Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. March Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. April Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. May Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. June Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. July Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. August Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. September Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. October Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. November Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting. December Water larger trees regularly but deeply during dry periods, soaking the soil out past the drip-line. Young plants should be kept evenly moist at all times. Be consistent with watering for best fruiting.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? May Prune to shape only. September Prune to shape only.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March Maintain a generous layer of mulch to conserve water use and keep roots evenly moist. June Maintain a generous layer of mulch to conserve water use and keep roots evenly moist. September Maintain a generous layer of mulch to conserve water use and keep roots evenly moist.

  Protect When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved? January Protect from heavy frost should it occur. February Protect from heavy frost should it occur. November Protect from heavy frost should it occur. December Protect from heavy frost should it occur.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? March Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. April Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. May Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. June Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. July Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. August Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. September Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails. October Inspect leaves and branches for pests such as aphids, mealybug, and scale. Check for snails.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? March Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. April Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. May Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. June Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. July Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. August Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. September Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails. October Discourage pests with a strong spray of water directed at the foliage. Control snails.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? January If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. February If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. March If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. April If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. May If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. June If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. July If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. August If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. September If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. October If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. November If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe. December If you plant both navel and valencia types, you can harvest sweet oranges from mature trees most of the year. Remember that the fruit won\'t ripen off the tree, so don\'t pick fruit until fully ripe.