How Growing Citrus in the Desert Became a Community Ritual—and a Personal Zen Practice

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I started working on a color-coded “Map of the Citrus Trees” that included each tree’s variety, location and name. I unveiled this information at the “Citrus Social” event at the clubhouse. Citrus trees not only add to the beauty of our residential community, but they also bring people together. Residents were excited to discover their tree’s name and learn where to find the Meyer lemon trees. 

Photo by Garrett Fuhrman.

Even though it’s possible to cultivate and nurture an orchard in the desert, it’s still an art.  University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardener Burt Boss shares his secrets on successfully growing citrus trees in your backyard. 

1. Irrigate. To encourage deep root growth, flood the root area with three to four inches of water. Let the top two inches of soil dry out, then repeat. Your watering frequency will vary as temperatures change throughout the year.
2. Fertilize. Use an organic, citrus-specific fertilizer three times a year: in January, before the blossoms form, and then again in early May and June. Avoid fertilizing after that, as it can affect fruit quality.
3. Harvest. Once the fruit is ripe, pick only what you need. Citrus is best stored on the tree. Freeze juice in ice cube trays and store the cubes frozen in zip-lock bags, so you’ll have a supply of juice until the next harvest. 
4. Prune. After the harvest, prune any dead or dried-out sprouts and branches. Thin out the center of the tree and remove any crossing branches. Allowing direct sun into the tree’s center encourages new fruit growth. Also, remove any “suckers” or shoots from the base of the tree and lower trunk to allow more nutrients to reach the fruit-bearing part of the tree.

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Photo by Tara Solomon.

CITRUS ROAD TRIPS

Want to further educate yourself on the citrus scene? Travel to some of California’s best citrus ranches and parks. 

California Citrus State Historic Park
This unique Riverside County attraction, a 250-acre state park lush with thousands of citrus trees, is like a secret citrus society, complete with a historical museum housing artifacts donated by former citrus farmers. It’s home to 70 varieties of citrus trees, including five ancestral varieties: Pomelo, Papeda, Citron, Mandarin and Kumquat.

In tribute to the Citrus Boom of the 1800s, the park’s design encourages leisurely walks among the groves. Unspoiled paths and three hiking trails lead to the highest point above the groves, where picnic tables and cold drinking water await visitors. The gift shop stocks citrus-themed artisanal candles, fun tchotchkes, and citrus marmalades made by local vendors. 

Mark your calendar for the first weekend in April 2026, when the annual Citrus Festival, hosted by Friends of California Citrus Park, returns. 

Flying Disc Ranch
You can check “Visit a citrus ranch” off your bucket list with a day trip to permaculture farmer, Robert Lower’s 10-acre “edible landscape” in Thermal, CA, whose fans include none other than Martha Stewart. Ranch visits, by appointment only, are from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in season (September through June), and 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during summer. There is no fee. 

In addition to the 1,000 organic citrus trees—including Ruby Blush grapefruit, Temple orange (aka Royal Mandarin), Minneola tangelo, Key lime, Eureka and Lisbon lemon—there are 500 date palms that produce more than seven varieties of dates. All the fruit is available for purchase.