When and How to Harvest Lemons

Of all my fruit trees (and I have quite a few), my favorite is Meyer lemon. This is probably due, in part, to the fact that it is my best producer. Every two years, I harvest such a bountiful basket that I have enough to share with my whole street. 

These trees are easy to grow and require little maintenance. While they can be attractive to some garden pests, these rarely affect the fruit, instead targeting the foliage. They are sturdy and tolerant trees that will produce well in a range of exposures and soil types. 

It’s always a good idea to know a bit about how and when to harvest any time you grow a food crop. Lemons are no exception, and they can be slightly tricky. Let’s talk about how quickly these trees mature when their fruits are ripe, and how you should go about picking them. 

Improved Meyer Lemon Tree

• Sweet, tangy hybrid fruit
• Compact, perfect for container growing
• Requires minimal maintenance, easy care
• Hardy in USDA Zones 8-11

View at Epicgardening.com

When to Harvest Your Lemons

There are different types of lemons and different ways of growing them. These factors, along with your climate, affect when your tree will bear fruit and what time of year it will be ready to pick. 

When Do They Mature?

The time it takes for a lemon tree to mature depends on the type of tree and the way you grow it. Naturally, smaller types mature faster, but the method of growing has a greater impact on how quickly you will seed fruit. Here are some basics on which to base your expectations.

Grafted Trees: Depending on the type and the growing conditions, your grafted citrus can bloom and fruit within about three years. In some cases, it can take as many as five years, so don’t worry if your three-year-old tree doesn’t bloom this year. 

Growing From Seeds: Seed-grown trees take the longest to produce, taking between seven and 15 years. Depending on the variety, they also don’t always breed true. Hybrids can take on various characteristics from their parent varieties.

Rooted Cuttings: Expect these to bear fruit right around the five-year mark. Some may produce sooner, especially dwarf varieties, but don’t bet on it. Rooted cuttings from a Meyer lemon mature faster and can bear fruit in as few as three years.

Purchased Trees: Depending on the age of the plant, it could bear fruit the first year when you purchase it. A smaller one may take several years, though. 

What Time of Year Do They Ripen?

Some sources say they can mature year-round in warm climates, but this has not been my experience. Patio trees and indoor container plants may bloom more than once yearly and, therefore, can fruit more than once per year. However, most outdoor trees will bloom in the spring and mature over the summer and fall months. 

In my region, Zone 9, they ripen from late November to early December. We also get our first frost around that time. A brief dip below 32°F (0°C) won’t harm your citrus, but a hard freeze will. If you expect the thermometer to drop below 28°F (-2°C), make sure you harvest before the sun goes down.

In warmer Zones, like 10-11, they will ripen earlier in the fall. You may see yours begin to yellow as soon as September, although it’s likely to be closer to October or November. 

You will know they are ripe when your lemons are yellow and have a glossy exterior. They should be firm but not hard. Make sure there is a slight give when you squeeze gently. If you wait until they are soft, you won’t have many useable lemons. They should also have a pleasant fragrance when they are ripe. 

How Much Fruit Should I Expect?

Depending on the age, size, and type, your lemon tree could produce up to 1500 lemons per year. The ‘Eureka’ variety is the most abundant producer. A more conservative estimate for a mature, healthy tree is around 600 per year. This is an expectation to have for commercial trees that receive regular fertilizing and grow in full sun. 

I find this to be much more than my personal tree produces, but I also prune my lemon tree to keep it smaller. I harvest about 50-100 lemons every other winter. Lemon trees produce a lot of fruit every two years and less in the years between. I also thin them out once pollinated to prevent the branches from touching the ground. 

How to Harvest Lemons

Harvesting lemons is simple. The one consideration to bear in mind is to be gentler than you would expect. Citrus fruits may seem tough and difficult to bruise, but they can nonetheless. 

Step One: Choose the Proper Tools

I recommend using a pair of gloves when you harvest, as these trees have rather large, sharp thorns. These thorns can be an inch long, and believe me when I say they hurt going in, and they hurt for some time afterward. Because you’ll need to reach into the tree to get to some, long sleeves are not a bad idea either.

In terms of picking, you can use your hands if you prefer. This is a perfectly acceptable method. I like to use a small pair of harvesting snips, though, as it’s easier on the branches. I also wear a hat when harvesting, as I’ve been poked on the top of my head with one of those thorns, and it hurt a lot! Bring along a large basket to place them in. 

Step Two: Harvest Gently

If you’re using shears or snips, cut the stem just above the fruit. While this is a decent way to get the job done, most growers prefer the hand-picking method as it is gentler on the tree. It prevents open cuts on the ends of your branches which can make the tree more susceptible to cold and diseases. 

To harvest lemons by hand, use the twist method. Rather than tugging on the lemon to wrench it off the branch, twisting will help the branch to release the fruit without trauma or the chance of breaking the branch. 

Gently grasp the fruit in your hand. Grasp around the fruit with the stem facing upward, away from your thumb. Give it a gentle twist until it breaks free from the branch, and place it in a basket or other receptacle. You’ll want a large basket for this task, as you will likely have more than you can carry!

Step 3: Don’t Bruise Them

Despite their tough exterior, citrus can still bruise, leading to faster decay. You don’t want to end up with a bunch of rotten lemons. Lay them gently in your basket or other container rather than dropping them or tossing them. Treat them as you would any apple or pear.

Step 4: Store Them Properly

How you store them will determine how long your lemons will last, with temperature being the most vital factor. You can leave them on the counter at room temperature for a week or two, but by the end of that time, the skin will start to wrinkle. Once it gets wrinkled and soft, it isn’t much good. 

In the refrigerator, they can last from one to two months, depending on the stage that you picked them. If you picked them while they were still slightly green, they will last longer. Don’t store them with apples, as this will expedite the decay process. 

You can freeze lemons for four to six months, but they will not be the same consistency when you thaw them. This is fine if you want to juice or bake with them, but zesting them after freezing isn’t optimal. 

Preserving Lemons

If you harvest far more fruit than you can consume or share, there are ways to preserve them that make good use of the entire fruit. 

Drying

You can slice them and dry the slices in a dehydrator or an oven set to a low temperature. Dry them slowly to preserve the color and flavor. Dried lemons are great for decorating and making crafts. A garland for the Christmas tree is timely and beautiful.

Dried citrus has culinary uses, too. You can grind it into a powder and season meat and other dishes. I like to add it to pink salt, which makes a beautiful gift for loved ones who enjoy cooking. 

Freezing

While you can freeze them whole, I recommend freezing them in parts to make them more useful. I like to zest my lemons and freeze the zest in an airtight container. If you don’t zest them before freezing, the skin will be too soft to do it effectively when they thaw. 

After zesting, juice your lemons and freeze the juice. You can freeze it in bags or containers. I prefer to make lemon ice cubes. That way, it’s easier to thaw exactly what I need—no more or less. 

Canning

Canning or pickling lemons is a great way to store them long-term. Preserved in this way, they can last for a year or more unopened and six months after you open the jar.