It was somewhere in the citrus section where I truly became completely green with envy. Here I was wandering rows and rows of healthy green trees, laden with fruit and fragrant flowers.
I wish I could spritz a little mist of Jo Malone’s Lime Blossom cologne towards you right now, to give you an idea of the exquisite scents I enjoyed in those aisles.
I felt a sense of complete agony, seeing all of these beautiful trees, reasonably priced, ready to go…without a way to bring them home.
Without a feasible option to procure these beauties, I had to figure out a constructive way to deal with the situation, and make it positive. So, I’ve decided to devote more energy into the citrus trees I already have in Seattle. This stroll in the citrus grove made me inspired to work on my own lime, kumquat and orange trees I have and to try to make them as healthy as possible this year.
Did you know that it’s possible to grow citrus NOCA (North Of California)? It does take some effort, and it is unlikely the plants will be as prolific as those I saw while roaming California. But the plants are beautiful and the blossom scents are absolutely heavenly. Many better nurseries carry citrus plants and trees (or they can order them for you). Click on kumquat to read a past Splendid Market post on how to maintain them.
Here is my checklist for invigorating my trees this year:
1. test the soil ph levels and correct as needed
2. apply Peter’s fertilizer regularly
3. give each of the trees a root trim
Emily, we stayed at Ysidro last year and I had that same feeling of just being overwhelmed by the beauty and color of the citrus and flowers that surrounded us. Sun, avocado and citrus are the bits of California I wish would flourish just as much here in the NW. You are inspiring me to try to grow an orange tree! Love it. Have a great weekend!
Jeanne