Limes lend a delicious tang and attractive green colour to drinks, desserts and a variety of meals. By growing your own lime tree, then you’ll have access to more affordable and tastier fruit than you can buy at the store. Lime trees, such as other types of citrus, are sensitive to frosty temperatures and develop best in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9 through 11. Planting your lime tree in the best possible place ensures it will prosper and make an abundance of fruit for several decades.
Sun
All varieties of lime trees must be planted in full sun for the best results. Choose a planting site that receives as much full sun as you can, ideally from dawn to late afternoon. Avoid putting algae trees near or under other trees, by which they will be shaded from sun. In case your lime tree does not get enough sunlight, then it will develop more slowly than normal and create fewer fruits.
Soil
Lime trees prefer sandy loam soil but can tolerate several other soil types as long as they have decent drainage. If your soil includes mostly heavy clay or sand, you’ll have to amend it before planting. Mixing in compost or other organic matter to a depth of 1 or 2 inches helps supply the drainage and nutrients that the lime tree requires. Ideally, don’t plant lime trees next to plants that require frequent irrigation.
Protection
If your area gets very windy or adventures occasional frosts, you ought to protect your lime tree in inclement weather. Too much wind can certainly damage a young lime tree. At the winter, leaf damage may occur when temperatures drop to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and tree death will probably occur at 29 F or even below. Planting your lime tree near a building that does not block the sun is best, as the building will shield the tree in cold northern winds.
Other Factors
Avoid planting your lime tree near power lines. If it gets moist, the divisions may fall off and land on the power line, causing an outage or other damage. Do not plant the tree near a drain field or septic tank. Cleaning supplies, chemicals and soaps can enter the tree during its roots, damaging or killing it. The roots can also clog the drain of the septic tank.