With fresh lemons as close as your kitchen garden pots, you’re always ready to prepare zesty lemon desserts or savory lemon butter sauces to compliment fish or vegetable dishes. Lemon butter, when sweetened, makes a perfect sauce for cake, especially gingerbread, a tangy yet sweet filling for tarts or pies, or a mouth watering pudding all on its own. Very similar to lemon curd, but a lot easier to make, sweet lemon butter sauce has a variety of yummy uses. Here is a holiday favorite:

Gingerbread with Lemon Butter Sauce

1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 egg, beaten
1 c. molasses
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. hot water

Cream together sugar and butter then add beaten eggs and molasses. Blend. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and stir. Add hot water and beat by hand until smooth. Grease a 9×13 pan and bake at 325 degrees for about 35 minutes.

Lemon Sauce

½ cup sugar
2 tbsp. Corn starch
Pinch salt
2 cups water
¼ cup margarine or butter
1 tbsp lemon zest
3 tbsp. Lemon juice

Combine all ingredients and cook, stirring constantly until thick. Serve over gingerbread.

Lemon butter is equally tasty as a savory sauce over chicken, fish or vegetables. Here is a recipe for an easy and versatile lemon sauce that you’re sure to use over and over again.

Savory Lemon Butter

Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 tsp grated lemon rind
5 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1.5 tbsp fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter and flour together. Add juice, zest and parsley and cook over low heat until thickened. Add seasonings to taste. Garlic can be added at this point as well if desired. Serve over desired entree.

The dwarf kumquat tree does not exceed 4 feet in height, though some hybrids can grow to 6 feet. Their foliage is attractive and has few or no thorns. Kumquats have scented white blossoms that will turn into red orange colored fruit.

The fruit resembles a tiny orange, but the kumquat fruit is eaten whole, peel and all. If you have a sweet tooth, you only have to eat the peel. Kumquats can also be made into salads, candy, breads, pie fillings and sauces for duck, lamb, chicken and other meats.

The dwarf kumquat tree is easy to grow in areas where temperatures during the day are high and the nights are cool. The hybrid trees are able to handle a light frost. All types of trees require a small amount of pruning and the smaller varieties make perfect container plants.

In growing zones 9 and 10, the blooms appear in early spring or late spring. These blooms are white and are approximately 1 to 2 inches in size. They are not as fragrant as the orange or lemon trees but their fragrance is noticeable.

Young trees require considerable water to get well established, and then water only when necessary. As for fertilizer, I recommend using one made specifically for citrus trees. The kumquat is not really a citrus tree, but the fertilizer works well on the kumquat trees.

The dwarf Kumquat tree requires moist, well drained soil and needs to be in the full sun though some are able to thrive in just a little partial shade. The trees are also very resistant to disease and pests so there is no need for pesticides. The only pest you might see is the leaf miner. However, the leaf miner really doesn’t hamper the tree in the home garden.

Some common and wonderful varieties are the “‘Nagami, “Meiwa,” “Fukushu,” and “Marumi.” Check your local nursery for the trees, and if you do purchase one from online vendors, be sure to get a guarantee and make sure the tree can be shipped to your state.

If you plan to harvest your fresh fruit, not for the kitchen but citrus fruit baskets then here are a few ideas which you may want to consider:

Use a unique container:

When arranging your citrus fruit baskets consider using something other than an ordinary wicker or woven basket. Instead pile your fruit into a container which can be used again. For example, try making an arrangement using a glass bowl which can then be used after as an everyday fruit bowl. Or try to arrange your citrus fruit into a glass pitcher, to be used to prepare and serve fresh lemonade!

Include some fruity essentials!

When gathering all of the gifts to include in your citrus fruit baskets try adding a few kitchen tools and essentials into the mix such as a lemon zester, juicer or even a fancy peeler! Other nifty additions could include stir sticks for fruity drinks or a set of summery and festive paper napkins!

Mix it up and add some food to your fruit!

When picking your fresh harvest to give as gifts consider including some food in your citrus fruit basket. For example, if you have decided to give a collection of sweet watery oranges, maybe include some dark chocolate treats which are sure to compliment the fruit. Or if you are giving some bright, savory lemons maybe include some liquors so that your recipient can prepare zesty Lemon Drop Martinis!

Growing you own fruit to use in citrus fruit baskets is a sentimental and creative gift option. Your recipients are sure to appreciate your gardening efforts and will welcome such a thoughtful and useful gesture!

Here is a short description of four of the most popular styles of citrus juice press and how they are used.

Hand held Press

This gadget consists of two half circle cups that hold a halved lemon, lime or orange, and two long handles that you squeeze together to extract the juice. The long handles mean that it takes very little effort to extract the juice. This type of press is perfect for the smaller amounts of juice often required in cooking and baking.

Standing Hand Press

Another manually operated juicer, this works under basically the same principal as the hand held press except that the juice is gathered in a container that is part of the press. Instead of squeezing two handles together, the standing citrus juice press is operated by pulling down a small arm to squeeze the fruit that has been placed in the top part of the press. This method is great for producing single servings of juice for drinking.

Manual Reamer

This handy juicer involves more of a pushing and turning motion than a squeezing one. The reamer sits atop a container and you place a half piece of fruit on it and push and turn it until the juice has been extracted and collected in the container.

Electric Press

If you want to extract larger amounts of juice at one time, an eclectic citrus juice press may be just what you need. There are many varieties available online and in home department stores in a wide range of prices to suit every need and budget.

They function in the same manner as the manual press except that an electric motor does the work instead of you! Many of the electric presses also have a selection of filter baskets that you can use to allow you to select the amount of pulp you want in your juice.

Whichever type of citrus juice press you choose, you are sure to enjoy cooking with and drinking all that fresh and healthy vitamin C!

The Satsuma orange was very popular as a “Dooryard” tree in the Houston area until 1911 when a very cold November caused a loss of most of the trees. Even though the Satsuma is one of the hardiest citrus tree varieties, even it couldn’t withstand the 8 degree and colder temperatures. To make matters even worse, the area was hit shortly thereafter by a bad hurricane in 1915 causing over 90% loss of crops. It has been a slow road back to production since then.

The Satsuma is what we typically call a mandarin orange, again referring back to its Japanese roots. It is a sweet, juicy fruit with a very loose skin that makes it extremely easy to peel. The sweetness and lack of seeds make it a particular favourite of children who often find regular oranges too tart to eat. Its popularity among the younger set might also come from its common use in a summer favourite… marshmallow fruit salad!

If you enjoy the challenge of growing citrus trees in containers, you’ll be pleased to know that the Satsuma Orange is a very container friendly variety. Growing your Satsuma in a container will keep its growth to a minimum and you will be easily able to move it indoors during the colder months. Here are a few hints to help you succeed:

o A 20 gallon container is a good size to use, and make sure there are adequate drainage holes in the bottom.

o Use a light, well draining potting mix. It should specify on the package that it is suitable for container growing.

o Apply a slow release fertilizer once e early in the spring. Be certain to follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully as too much fertilizer may damage the tree.

o Plant your Satsuma orange tree where it will receive lots of direct sunlight and water as necessary.

o Bring your container in when temperatures start to droop in the fall. Even moving your container to the garage is easier than trying to protect it with plastic and shelters outdoors.

o Harvest your fruit when it is starting to turn from green to orange in September or October.

The dwarf type can be grown conveniently indoors in a pot or in a yard with limited space. It is said that one adult tree can provide fruit for the whole neighborhood. The Lisbon variety is a hardy tree but prefers a warmer climate.

For areas of the country with frequent frost temperatures the Eureka type is preferable. The Lisbon lemon tree will die back to the roots after a hard frost. The Lisbon has sharp spines in abundance but this is a small drawback considering it’s other useful qualities.

The dwarf Lisbon lemon tree can be traced back originally to Portugal. Today it is one of the most popular varieties of lemon trees in California. The Lisbon needs lots of sun and nutrient rich soil.

It should be fertilized frequently with nitrogen, potassium and organic matter. If potted be sure to keep it well drained. If the tree is kept out of doors part of the year and brought in doors for winter you have two options for keeping it healthy.

If you keep it in the sun while indoors than you need to fertilize it several times in order to promote continued growth. It can also be kept in a cooler room with no sunlight and it will become essentially dormant for the indoor/winter season and will not require fertilization.

With a little work and attention, you are sure to love your tree for many years to come.

The Captain crossed the Jamaican sweet orange with the Indonesian pomelo. In fact until the 1800s the fruit was called the Shaddock. The tangy fruit eventually became known as the grapefruit.

Today the grapefruit is counted among the “7 Wonders of Barbados.” For decades the grapefruit was grown mainly as an ornamental fruit. It did not find real commercial success until the creation of the Ruby Red variety in the 1920s.

For mysterious reasons, the pink grapefruit became a popular food in a way the original white grapefruit did not. Today the red grapefruit is one of the state symbols of Texas where the originally Ruby Red was first created. The United States is the number one producer of the grapefruit with production concentrated in Texas, California, Florida and Arizona.

Grapefruit trees thrive in a subtropical climate. Temperatures and humidity levels affect flowering periods; peel thickness and even levels of acidity and juiciness. If you plan to plant a grapefruit tree, ensure that you are in an area where grapefruit trees can thrive, otherwise opt for a potted variety.

Like all citrus trees grapefruit trees need nutrient rich soil and should be fertilized often with potassium and nitrogen rich mixtures if you want them to bear fruit. They need plenty of sunshine, deep watering at least once a week and well draining soil to prevent root rot.

Tip #1: Add Animal Manure or Seaweed Fertilizer

Animal manure, especially chicken manure is extremely high in nitrogen and potassium, two things that hungry citrus trees love to have in their soil. You can also try a seaweed fertilizer if you are uncomfortable with animal manure. Also, if you find your tree is a bit picky about its soil and planting location try adding some potash to balance all of your soil nutrients.

Tip #2: Location, Location, Location

Though organic citrus care involves many different elements such as plant food, pest control and fertilization, there are also other, more simple points to consider. One of the most important is the planting location. To successfully produce organic fruit you must choose a location where the tree will receive at least eight hours of direct sun each and every day.

Tip #3: Pesticide-Free Pest Removal

The one thing that sets organic citrus care apart from other gardening styles is the avoidance of pesticides. If you are worried about your trees and the number of harmful pests in your region consider releasing some ladybugs into your garden. They will keep the number of aphids down and as a result will lower the number of illness and diseases.

Tip #4: Set a schedule

It is important when considering organic citrus care to become familiar with your trees seasonal changes and needs. For example, while growing fruit your tree will need extra amendments added to the soil and will need new, fresh fertilizer every other day. To stay organized develop a weekly schedule that outlines the different amounts and types of manure, nutrients and fertilizers you’ve used.

When planning where to put your orange tree, be sure to know how tall your tree is going to be. Some trees can reach over 50 feet so you want to be sure to give it space. You don’t want to have to move the things in your yard around because your orange tree grew too tall and wide.

As for the soil, orange trees grow great in well drained sandy soil. The soil should also be deep enough as orange trees need a lot of support from their roots.

There are several good orange trees on the market, but my favorite is the Washington Navel. This tree is also sold as a dwarf, growing to about 8 feet. The fruit is easy to peel, delicious and has no seeds. The orange blossoms are fragrant in the spring and the foliage is lush, making it a beautiful addition to your yard or home.

The orange blossoms always remind me of when I was a kid, and we would drive to Florida for vacations. We could open the windows of the car and just inhale the sweet orange blossom fragrance.

As for light, if you keep the tree outside, be sure it has full sun. If you keep the tree indoors, make sure it has a bright interior light.

Orange trees added to your yard or home are fun because with little care, you are going to enjoy these sweet fruits each year. Just pick an orange when ripe and use it to eat or use the orange zest for cooking. You know you have the freshest orange around.

Don’t forget, to make sure your time and money is well spent, check with your local nursery so you know you have the best orange tree available for your area and situation.

Tip #1 – Prune at the right time of year: The best time of year to prune dwarf lemon tree branches can change depending on which geographical location you live in. But most of North America will prune their fruit trees sometime between January and March. Pruning your tree too late in the season can cause unnecessary stress to the root system which will affect the trees ability to grow worthwhile fruit.

Tip #2 – Sharpen your Tools: Sharp and clean tools are essential when caring for and pruning dwarf lemon trees. To make sure that your tools do not carry a disease from one plant to another sterilize the blades using an alcoholic wipe.

Tip #3 – Remove the right branches: One of the most important points to consider when planning to prune dwarf lemon tree branches is that you want as much sunlight as possible to reach the center of the tree. For this reason, the first branches to remove are those which cross over the center and seem to be blocking the trees trunk. Once you have removed all of the intrusive branches you will also want to prune any sick, marked or dying branches.

Tip #4 – Cut the branches properly: To prune dwarf lemon tree branches properly you will need both a pair of sharp pruning shears as well as a pruning saw. To remove the branches make a smooth, continuous vertical cut as close to the trunk as possible. If you are unable to simply snip the branch with sheers, carefully saw the branch off without ripping the trunk bark.

Citrus Canker: This fast-spreading bacterial infection unfortunately is quite common and can mean the end of many dwarf fruit trees. This contagious infection often appears as yellow or orangish colored lesions on the fruit, leaves and small branches of the tree and is spread through infected insects, birds and even gardening tools. One of the most effective ways to prevent citrus canker is to spray your tree with a liquid copper fungicide and by staying aware of any reports of the disease in the area.

Melanose: This disease though not serious or life threatening for most tree species can affect the appearance of the fruit produced and can lead to marked or scabbed fruit rind. Melanose is most commonly found in older trees which have been planted for more than ten years. It is also quite common, but not exclusive to dwarf grapefruit trees. The best treatment available is an anti-fungal spray.

Greasy Spot: This disease is probably the most common for dwarf fruit trees and can lead to dramatic leaf loss and branch weakening. The easiest way to see if your tree is suffering from Greasy Spot is to check the underside of the leaves for brownish-yellow blisters. To prevent the spread of greasy spot simply remove all of the fallen leaves quickly and use a liquid copper spray twice a year, once in the midsummer months and another in the early fall.

Fruit thinning of your citrus trees will also help promote canopy growth in your young trees.

Citrus fruit trees sometimes have a large fruit crop one year, and then a small fruit crop the next. Fruit thinning will help take care of this problem and give you a great fruit crop each year.

The easiest way to remove small citrus fruit, is just to pinch the small stem and twist it off.  Be sure NOT to remove more than 15% of the fruit as anything over that amount will greatly affect your tree.

Here is a quick reference guide to some of the most common citrus tree pests:

Aphids: Though it is next to impossible to not have any aphids present while growing trees, they can grow in numbers rapidly and can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. The marks left by aphids are often confused with other citrus diseases because of the dark marks which appear on the leaves. Aphids can damage a tree’s growth by sucking the sap from their leaves and causing leaves to drop and dry.

Citrus White fly: A common pest to appear on all types of citrus trees, Whiteflies are a winged insect close in size to a common fruit fly. Whiteflies will often hide on the underside of a tree’s leaves and suck the honeydew sap from the leaves veins. Similar to aphids the damage left by whiteflies is often confused with leaf rot and is similar in appearance to mould.

Orange-dog caterpillars: A large insect, orange-dog caterpillars will eat and rip the edges of a trees leaves. Though this type of caterpillar is most common in Florida it can be found on plants which have been imported and sold in other regions. The best way to rid your tree of orange-dog caterpillars is to remove them by hand. But be warned, when disturbed this species will spring two red “horns” from its head and spray a foil smelling odor.

Citrus Thrips: One of the most damaging of all citrus diseases and pests, the citrus thrip will ruin a young tree’s leaves, fruit, blossoms and roots. These persistent pests are yellow and orange in color and can usually be found on the underside of the tree’s lower leaves. The marks left by citrus thrips will be quite evident as most of the fruit, blossoms and leaves which are attacked will shrivel up and dry out completely.

Citrus Bud mite: Though bud mites can attack any type of citrus tree, they are most commonly found on lemon trees. Bud mites will appear only in hot and humid climates and will enjoy feeding on the lemon blossoms and fruit buds. To rid your plant of bud mites consider using the same all natural sprays that you would to eliminate any citrus diseases.

The history of limettas dates back to early Roman times when lemons were used primarily for ornamental purposes. Still grown primarily in the Mediterranean regions, limettas started to make an appearance during the Gold Rush days and to this day California, Arizona and Florida are all popular limetta growing states.

Although a member of the lemon family, limettas have a number of different characteristics that set them apart. Although yellow on the outside like a lemon, the rind is quite bumpy. The flesh has a greenish tinge to it and unlike a lemon that gets your mouth good and puckered, the limetta is quite sweet and not acidic. It has often been described as tasting like homemade lemonade without having to add all that sugar! As its popularity grows, chefs around the world are seeking it out for its wonderfully sweet and juicy flavors.

Some say this fruit is the ultimate one to use for making mouth-watering lemon pie and homemade lemonade. Because it is never bitter, it also makes great sauces to top seafood rice and other dishes. Limettas are also easy to preserve for cooking and baking and once sealed will keep for months, providing zesty lemony flavor whenever you need it. Limettas should be most abundant in produce markets from November to May.

Many online sellers of citrus trees offer limettas in containers for either use as houseplants or for outdoor gardening. It is recommended that limetta trees growing outdoors be brought inside during the colder months to prevent damage.

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But grapefruit can also be a fantastic addition to our personal bath and body care regime. Grapefruit aromatherapy has been gaining in popularity over the past decade or two and has become a favorite of many for its bright citrusy scent.

The essential oil of the grapefruit provides the base for this invigorating scent and as an oil, it provides many other healing and health improving benefits. The oil is normally produced through a cold pressing process of the rind of the fruit.

Once only grown in the tropics, today, grapefruit is a widely grown citrus tree in the United States and other parts of the world. If you are an aromatherapy lover, here are a few of the ways you can incorporate grapefruit aromatherapy into your goals of maintaining a healthy, happy body and mind.

o A good long soak in a warm tub with small amounts of grapefruit essential oil is said to help alleviate migraines, reduce tension and calm the nervous system.

o The acidic properties make this essential oil a great toner and it is also a fantastic oil to rub into your skin to relieve oily congestion, tone and even reduce the appearance of cellulite.

o By opening clogged oily skin, it can be a great way to detox the liver and kidneys.

o Its relaxing aroma is said to work wonders at overcoming the effects of jet lag. Simply add to a warm bath or relax in a quiet room with an essential oil of grapefruit aromatherapy candle or warm oil burner. Many online stores even offer a grapefruit aromatherapy candle in a small travel tin that packs easily into your luggage so you can relax and unwind once you’ve reached your destination.

o The pore opening properties also help improve circulation which can in turn help with maintain healthy shiny hair and even promote hair growth.

o Inhaling the stimulating scent is also believed to reduce the craving for sweets and control appetite. It is a flavored aromatherapy choice for those wanting to lose weight and in some cases as part of natural treatments of eating disorders.

While it may not be practical to grow full-sized adult trees indoors, there are hundreds of varieties of dwarf citrus trees that are perfectly suited for in home growing.

The Meyer lemon tree is one popular choice. Its sweetly flavored lemons are great for desserts. Another great tree for bakers is the dwarf key lime tree. The tangy lime it produces makes a fabulous key lime pie.

Moving on to other meals, if you love grapefruit for breakfast consider the dwarf ruby red grapefruit tree. But don’t stop there. The dwarf kumquat tree produces beautiful fruit that can be used to make jams and marmalade.

Another lovely indoor citrus tree is the dwarf mandarin orange. There are several seedless varieties of mandarin trees and the fresh fruit is an excellent garnish for salads or can be eaten by itself as a vitamin-C filled snack.

In general potted trees should be kept outdoors during the warmer months and brought inside as the temperatures hit the 30s. Indoor citrus trees should be misted regularly, fertilized several times a year and re-potted about once a year.

Be careful in choosing container size, if the pot is too large for the plant it will not produce fruit right away. If you are looking to bring a little flavor of the warmer latitudes into your home, consider an investment in an indoor citrus tree garden. It will surely bring you years of enjoyment.

This tree is a great plant for the indoors though it does not like the full sun or air drafts. If grown in the northern climates, grow lights are an excellent source of light. The tree should be planted in a light soil mix of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. It should also have good drainage and needs to be watered every few weeks. Do allow the soil to dry out between watering as the roots will rot if left sitting in water.

If planted in a container, the tree will not grow larger than 8 feet. The tree itself has thorns, but the fruit is worth the effort. It is not freeze tolerant, so do not place the tree outside in the winter. Do keep it warm, as it loves the heat and will blossom if kept in 80 to 90 degrees.

Be sure to mist the leaves with a water spray daily. The trees love humidity.

The lemon blossoms of the Ponderosa Lemon Tree are very sweet smelling and do need to be pollinated by hand. To pollinate, use a small paint brush and rub the pollen within the flower. Fruit will ripen in approximately 6 to 9 months.

Fertilize the tree approximately every six months using citrus tree fertilizer or an acid loving water soluble product.

The lemon tree is usually grown by grafting cuttings to various citrus root stocks and can also be grown from seed. Be sure to check with your local nursery or a reputable online nursery for great trees.

Since these trees are very easy to care for, you have no problems having natural lemon juice for cooking and the fruit because of its size and bumpy skin is a wonderful conversation starter. Enjoy

Growing any plant from seed is exciting and many gardeners enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with caring for a plant through the whole growing process. But there is something which is especially exhilarating about growing tangerine trees and other citrus plants.

There is a feeling of pride and commitment that comes with watching a tree grow and eventually bear fruit. Many gardening enthusiast relish this fragile procedure and find themselves waiting anxiously to see the first sprout appear above the soil.

However, growing tangerine trees from seed is not easy and can take a lot of time, commitment and most importantly patience.

If you are thinking about growing any citrus plant from seed here is a simple step-by-step guide which may help;

Step one: The most important step when growing tangerine trees is to read all of the information supplied by your seed distributor. These instructions will guide you through the germination process and what kind of time frame you will be looking at before you begin to see any tree growth. Follow the recommended planting suggestions and make sure to take note of any special needs your tree species may need such as soil nutrients, sun exposure and fertilizers.

Step Two: Once you are familiar with your seed’s needs and growing conditions it is time to begin the stratification process. To start soak a handful of peat moss in water until it spreads and becomes engorged. Then once it has absorbed as much water as possible, squeeze the moss and drain it slightly. Once the moss is damp but not dripping place it is a Ziploc baggie. Then drop in a few seeds and cover the moss with loose dry soil. Now, seal your bag and place it in a warm, sunny location. The bag will have a “greenhouse” effect and will trick the seed into thinking it is in a stage of summer dormancy.

Step Three: Now that you have researched and read all of the available information and completed the stratification process, it is time to choose your seed planting location. If you are planting your tangerine tree in a container, then you must make sure that it has enough drainage, soil depth and sun exposure. If you are planting your tree permanently into your lawn then you must make sure that any obstacles such as other trees, house foundations and even sidewalks are far enough away to not pose any problems for root growth.

Step Four: To plant your tangerine trees simply drop the sprouting tree seed as well as the moss and soil into a small hole in your planting location. Make sure not to plant your seed too deep, if there is noticeable sprouts of growth make sure this is visible above the top soil.

Step Five: Now, once your seed is positioned, cover it with loose, dry soil. Do not pat the soil down, simply give your new tangerine tree a light watering and allow for the water to compact the soil. Continue to water your tangerine trees regularly and make sure to provide adequate fertilizer and additional soil if needed.

Dwarf / Patio Key Lime Tree Full Size Fruit

This dwarf key lime tree is perfect for indoors or on the patio. The fruit is full sized and the tree is very hardy and easy to grow.

Calamondin Bonsai Tree

Do you love citrus trees, but have no room. This bonsai tree is perfect. This tree is an indoor tree and actually grows mini oranges you can eat.

Norpro Stainless-Steel Citrus Juice Press

No kitchen should be without a citrus juice press. It extracts all the juice from oranges, limes and lemons. The press is made from stainless steel and is dishwasher safe.

Tribest Citristar Electric Citrus Juicer

This automatic citrus juicer has an auto start and stop. The juice will pour directly into your glass. It is easy to clean and perfect for the cook in your family.

Throw away the old idea that you have to have greens in a salad; instead, enjoy this fantastic and healthy citrus salad.

Get blood oranges if at all possible; pomelos are another good alternative, but they can often be expensive to purchase.

When picking fruits for this salad, you should stick to sweeter fruits, such as clementines, tangerines, navel oranges, and even grapefruit, in order to have a good mix of flavors.

Prepare all of your fruit; you can start by leveling off the fruit. Just chop the ends off, then stand it up for easier access. Following that, cut the peel off, leaving as little of it left on the pulp as you can, getting the pith out of the way as well.

Cut disks of fruit and make it aesthetically pleasing by coming up with a beautiful arrangement for it. Slice or chop shallots or red onions and sprinkle that over the citrus salad, along with some salt.

Top it all off with a salad dressing that will accent the wonderful flavors of the citrus fruit. Here’s my dressing recipe: citrus juice, sherry vinegar, olive oil, and a little bit of honey. Mix it all together and pour it over your salad; voila! When it comes to the citrus juice, use either lemon or lime; if you want to mix it up a bit, try sprinkling black pepper or cayenne into it.

Get that great anise flavor in by including fresh tarragon, and you’ll end up with a great way to wait out the winter in a very delicious salad.

Here are five helpful and handy citrus oil remedies:

Acid Reflux: In recent studies, citrus oil and juice has been shown to alleviate a great deal of the discomfort associated with acid reflux. It is believed that the acids in the citrus remedies counteract the body’s own acidity and as a result decreases the amount of reflux and calm any burning sensations.

Fatigue: Citrus oil can have an extremely rejuvenating and energizing effect when used as aromatherapy. When essential oils are added to warm bath water, anyone can take advantage of this and can successfully decrease the symptoms associated with fatigue, sleep deprivation or low energy.

Hair Growth: When combined with other essential oils such as cedar wood, rosemary and lavender, citrus oil is said to rejuvenate damaged hair follicles and increase the amount of new hair growth. Though this remedy is not scientifically proven, studies done recently in Scotland showed a 44% increase in hair growth for all participants!

Common Cold: Though citrus oils may be too strong for these remedies, lemon juice has often been used to cure the common every day cold. Whether added to tea, steeped with whiskey or used in humidifier mists, citrus juice and oils are known worldwide to alleviate many cold symptoms such as congestion, chest cough and sore, scratchy throats.

Bacteria and Germs: Need an all-natural antibacterial hand soap to help combat bacteria and seasonal germs? Consider using citrus oils and juices. When rubbed on hands, lemon and lime oils can help to kill any bacteria that regular soap leaves behind. This is the perfect remedy for anyone who finds themselves working in germ-infested conditions such as school classrooms, public washrooms or even pet care!

First thing to keep in mind is climate and location. Do you want to plant the tree directly in your yard or in a container? If you will be planting outdoors you should do some research into which types of trees are most adaptable to your particular climate.

Citrus trees are hardy but they cannot survive below 20 degrees for more than a few hours and thin-skinned fruits like lemons are damaged with anything below 28 degrees.

Citrus trees thrive in the moderate temperatures of California, Florida, Texas and Arizona. However, if you live in a colder region, don’t despair. You can buy a potable citrus tree that you can bring inside during the winter. There are dwarf varieties of most citrus trees that are excellent for this.

You should remember that all citrus trees require frequent deep watering. They also need nutrient rich soil and should be fertilized often if you want them to bear fruit.

Lemon, orange and grapefruit trees all need plenty of sunlight to grow as well as soil that drains well. Well draining soil is necessary to protect roots from rot. Observe your yard carefully before choosing where to plant.

The next important choice in buying a citrus tree is an easy one- which fruit do you most enjoy? (Or perhaps this is the hardest choice). Once you have decided on a particular fruit – lemons for example – do some research on which type will be best for you.

Some people prefer Meyer lemons, which are sweeter while others swear by Lisbons for their tart, tangy flavor. Once you have grown your first citrus tree, you will certainly want to plant others.

Step One:

Take your time choosing your tree’s container.

The best container to use will be approximately 6 inches larger than the container your tree was sold in. You will also want to look for a container that has larger than average drainage holes. A dwarf eureka lemon tree needs well drained soil to maintain a healthy root system, a container that has smaller drainage holes will lead to soggy and weak roots.

Step Two:

Take your time choosing your potting soil.

A dwarf eureka lemon tree will actually prefer sandy, dry soil and will not do well in most retail brands of potting soil. To begin planting your tree start by filling your container half way with loose, dry soil.

Step Three:

Take your time planting your tree.

Citrus trees as a species are less hardy than other tree types and can be fragile while being transplanted or placed into a new container. To begin planting your dwarf eureka lemon tree carefully remove it from its original pot and lightly shake the access soil from the roots. Be carefully not to damage the smaller, newly formed roots. Now, place the tree into your container and fill the remaining space with your sandy potting soil, packing it down firmly as you go.

Step Four:

Take your time watering your new citrus tree.

Dwarf eureka lemon trees love moist soil and need to be watered every day. If you are keeping your container tree indoors you may want to keep a small misting bottle and give the leaves a light spray every morning. You may also wipe the leaves of your citrus tree with a damp cloth to remove dust; this is not necessary for plant health but will improve the appearance of an indoor tree.

Step Five:

Take your time enjoying the fruits of your labor.

A dwarf eureka lemon tree is a great house or container plant and can be a lot of fun to own! It is a good idea to replant your tree into a larger pot once every year and you will enjoy bright, juicy fruit every season! Remember, always make time to stop and smell the lemons!

From orange chocolate cheesecake to candied chocolate orange peel, the opportunities for creating chocolate orange delights are only limited by your imagination. To get your creative cooking juices flowing, here are two really tasty ways to satisfy any chocolate orange craving.

Chocolate Orange Cocoa

Everyone loves a hot cup of steaming cocoa after some time out in the cold and snow! Next time make it an extra special treat with this recipe for chocolate orange cocoa. This recipe makes a mixture that you can keep for some time in an airtight jar ready to add to some hot water whenever the mood strikes you!

3 Tbsp. Coffee whitener
1 Tbsp. Orange drink crystals
2 Tbsp. Sugar
2 Tbsp. Powdered hot chocolate

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight jar. To make orange chocolate cocoa, add 2 Tbsp. of the mixture to 8 ounces of boiling water. Add a scoop of whipped cream and grate a bit of orange zest on top.

Chocolate Orange Truffles

With holidays just around the corner, these confectionery delights are sure to become a family favorite. They also make a wonderful gift for teachers, friends and co workers when packaged in a festive gift tin or cookie box.

3 Tbsp. Whipping cream
4 Tbsp. Butter
4 squares semi sweet chocolate grated or finely chopped
2 Tbsp orange juice
1 Tsp. Orange zest

Bring butter and cream to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Stir until smooth. Pour into small loaf pan and chill for about two hours.

Once chilled remove dough from fridge and shape into one inch balls. Return balls to fridge for about half an hour. Meanwhile melt 4 ounces of semi sweet chocolate in the top of a double boiler with one Tbsp. vegetable oil. Dip balls in melted chocolate and chill again on waxed paper. Store in fridge.

First, the proper type of fertilizer is important. Citrus trees thrive in sandy soils, and this soil does not hold nutrients well. Also, citrus trees can not use the ordinary plant fertilizer. You will need to use fertilizers specific for citrus trees, which are a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with small amounts of 10 other ingredients.

Second, figure how much fertilizer to use. The amount is determined by the nitrogen content of the fertilizer. New citrus trees should get 2 ounces of nitrogen, then increased by 4 ounces each year. Established trees can use 1 to 1 – 1/2 pounds of nitrogen yearly.

To determine the nitrogen quantity in your fertilizer, multiply the weight of the fertilizer by the percentage of total nitrogen on the label. Two cups of granular fertilizer equals approximately one pound.

Third, determine when to use citrus tree fertilizer. If you have a young citrus tree and it needs a healthy root system, it will need to be fertilized eight times in the first year.

If you have an established fruit bearing citrus tree, it should be fertilized three times a year – usually in March, May and then October.

Also, try and spray your citrus tree with a citrus nutritional spray each month, from February to October. This will help balance the micro nutrients and give the foliage a lush look.

Use these recommendations, along with using a quality fertilizer, and your citrus tree will reward you with sweet fruit and luscious leaves.