Protect Your Lime Or Orange Tree. Freeze Thermostats
Here is one way to protect your outside lime or orange tree from freezing. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Learn your growing zone number before planting citrus. In many parts of the South and West you can grow some kinds of citrus outside. In zones 8 and above you will need to protect them from freezing from time to time. One way is to construct a rectangular enclosure using 3 to 6 mil clear plastic. You can use 4 steel "T" posts, driven at points around the lime or orange tree and wrap the plastic sheeting around it, securing it with a bungee cord for easy removal.
2. Make a rectangular frame from several two by fours to construct a rigid framework around the citrus tree. You can then staple the plastic sheeting to the two by fours. Make sure you attach guy wires on all four corners to stakes driven into your lawn so it does not tip over and crush the lime or orange tree.
3. Use a safe heat source. To further protect your lime tree or orange tree from freezing you should place a waterproof shop light with at least a sixty watt bulb inside the enclosure you made. Make sure it does not touch any branches or the plastic. You can turn it on in the evening before it gets cold or you can plug the cord into a freeze protection thermostat that will automatically turn the light on. One kind is the Easyheat or Easy Heat EH-38 This device will turn the shop light on when the temperature gets below 38 degrees. I have found the combination of a plastic cover and a 60 watt bulb is adequate to keep your citrus tree from freezing even on very cold days.
Tags: from freezing, orange tree, tree from, tree from freezing, citrus tree