Talking Citrus with Andrew – Workshop Recap & Growing Guide

Thank you to everyone who came along to our recent Citrus Workshop at Harmony.
It was a fantastic morning full of discussion, practical tips, and plenty of citrus inspiration.
Below is a detailed recap of what we covered — from choosing the right varieties and feeding systems, to recognising nutrient deficiencies and protecting your trees from the Tassie elements.

What We Learnt at Harmony

Published by Andrew Clark – Harmony Garden Centre, Lauderdale

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There’s something special about a Sunday morning surrounded by gardeners talking citrus. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the workshop — your questions, laughs, and enthusiasm made it one of my favourite sessions of the season.

For those who couldn’t make it, or who’d like to refresh what we covered, here’s a full recap of our chat — from the importance of pH and trace elements, to soil health and the Harmony products we rely on to keep citrus thriving through our cool Tasmanian seasons.

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Why We All Love Citrus

Citrus are one of the most rewarding fruit trees to grow at home. They look good all year round with glossy leaves and fragrant blossom, and they keep producing through winter when other fruit trees rest.

Even in smaller gardens, citrus are easy to accommodate — dwarf and multi-grafted varieties thrive in pots and courtyards, and their fruit packs plenty of vitamin C, colour, and sunshine into your backyard.

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The Essentials

• Choose a warm, sunny position

• Ensure free-draining soil

• Feed regularly

• Water consistently through the warmer months

Mandarins start ripening around June, followed by oranges, lemons, and grapefruit that hold right through to November.

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Where and When to Plant

Citrus grow best in a mild, frost-free position. In Tasmania, a north-facing wall or protected courtyard provides the ideal microclimate.

They tolerate many soil types as long as drainage is good — citrus don’t like “wet feet.”

• In clay soils: plant on a raised mound and mix in aged chicken manure or compost.

• In sandy soils: add organic matter to retain moisture.

• Maintain a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 for best nutrient uptake.

Citrus can be planted year-round, though spring and autumn are ideal. Water well through their first summer.

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Citrus in Pots

Citrus perform beautifully in pots when they’re fed and watered consistently.

At Harmony, we use a two-part feeding approach so nutrients work in different ways to keep trees balanced and healthy:

Soluble fertiliser gives an instant boost of nutrients for quick greening and active growth.
Ferticote (slow-release) provides a long-term supply that releases gradually with warmth and moisture.

Used together, they deliver both fast action and sustained nutrition. Feed soluble fertiliser monthly through spring and summer, and refresh slow-release granules every three to four months. Always water before and after feeding.

Use a premium citrus potting mix (such as Debco Citrus & Fruit Mix) containing water-holding granules, and ensure your pot drains freely — elevate slightly off the ground to prevent waterlogging.

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Citrus in the Ground

Citrus planted in the garden benefit from a program that feeds the soil as much as the tree. We recommend LifeForce Gold or Nutrog Gyganic — both biological fertilisers that build soil health, stimulate root activity, and support beneficial microbes.

• Apply in spring, mid-summer, and early autumn.

• Always stick to the recommended dosage. Overdoing it can burn roots and upset soil balance.

• Water in well and mulch generously, keeping the mulch away from the trunk.

When you feed the soil first, your tree responds with strong roots, rich foliage, and sweeter fruit.

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Watering and Mulching

Regular watering through spring and summer is critical for consistent fruiting. Irregular watering leads to fruit split, dryness, and reduced yields.

Mulch helps maintain soil temperature and moisture but keep it at least 10 cm from the trunk to prevent collar rot.

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Feeding Citrus the Right Way

Citrus are heavy feeders, but balance matters more than quantity.
Too much fertiliser — even organic — can stress the tree.

Overfeeding causes:

• Leaf tip burn or white salt crusts on soil

• Soft, sappy growth that attracts pests

• Root stress and nutrient lockout

It’s better to feed smaller amounts, more often, following the manufacturer’s dosage.
Consistency will always outperform excess.

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Pruning and Care

Citrus generally keep a neat shape, requiring only light maintenance.

• Remove crossing or dead branches after harvest.

• Cut off suckers from below the graft line.

• Remove fruit from very young trees to help them establish.

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Common Pests

Citrus are resilient, but a few pests occasionally appear:

• Scale/Sooty Mould and aphids: treat with Eco-Oil or neem.

• Leafminer: silvery squiggles on new growth; spray with Eco-Oil during flush.

• Gall wasp: prune out affected stems before September.

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Getting the Basics Right — pH, Iron and Magnesium

Healthy citrus start from the ground up. One of the biggest takeaways from the workshop was how important soil pH is. If the soil is too acidic or too alkaline, nutrients like iron, magnesium, and nitrogen can be present but unavailable to the plant. For citrus, aim for a pH between 6 and 6.5 — the sweet spot where roots can take up everything they need.

A simple soil pH test kit is one of the best investments you can make. It tells you what’s really going on below the surface before you start adding fertilisers.

We also talked about two common nutrient deficiencies that show up every year around this time:

• Magnesium deficiency usually appears as yellowing between the veins on older leaves. A dose of Epsom salts or a magnesium-rich soil tonic helps restore that deep green colour.

• Iron deficiency shows on younger leaves — pale yellow with distinct green veins. Applying chelated iron or using Life Force Organic Sea Change gives the plant a quick lift and improves overall nutrient absorption.

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Building a Living Soil

Citrus thrive in healthy, living soil. The more biology you have underfoot, the less likely your plants are to suffer from stress, pests, or nutrient imbalance.

At the workshop we looked at Popul8, which reintroduces beneficial microbes into the soil — helping to create a natural ecosystem around your plant’s roots. Healthy microbial activity improves nutrient cycling, root growth, and disease resistance.

For those gardening in heavier clay soils (and most of us in southern Tasmania are), PowerFeed is an excellent conditioner. It breaks up clay, improves drainage, and feeds soil microbes. And, as I mentioned with a smile on the day, its distinctive odour and taste may just help deter possums from snacking on your citrus before you do!

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Protecting Naturally — Resilience from the Ground Up

Rather than relying on chemicals, we build natural defences. TrichoShield is a great example — it contains beneficial fungi that form a protective barrier around the roots, helping prevent fungal diseases like root rot and improving stress tolerance.

Combined with Life Force Organic Sea Change, which adds trace minerals and stimulates beneficial microbial life, your citrus can develop its own resilience — a living shield against common problems before they take hold.

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Feeding for Health and Fruit

Citrus are hungry, but they don’t like a feast all at once. The key is steady, consistent feeding throughout the year.

We discussed two organic favourites at Harmony that give excellent results:

• Life Force Pellets, a slow-release organic base that feeds both the plant and the soil microbes.

• Neutrog Giganic, a powerful organic fertiliser designed for fruiting and flowering plants. It promotes vigorous roots, lush leaves, and strong fruit development.

I recommend feeding in late winter to energise spring growth, again in late summer after harvest, and top up lightly if needed through the growing season.

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Your Citrus Success Checklist

• Six to eight hours of sun daily

• A warm, sheltered position protected from southerlies

• Slightly acidic, free-draining soil (pH 6–6.5)

• Regular small feeds using Life Force Pellets or Neutrog Giganic

• Correct deficiencies early — magnesium and iron make all the difference

• Support soil biology with Popul8, TrichoShield, and Life Force Sea Change

• Maintain consistent watering and mulch away from the trunk

• Protect young trees from frost using hessian or frost cloth

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Tasmanian Citrus Variety Guide

Lemon ‘Meyer’ – The hero of the Tasmanian citrus world. Compact, sweet-flavoured, and frost-tolerant. Perfect in pots or small gardens, fruiting for much of the year.

Lemon ‘Lisbon’ – A classic acidic lemon with a robust tree and heavy crops once established. Handles cooler conditions well and thrives in full sun.

Lemon ‘Eureka’ – The traditional bright-yellow lemon with consistent crops and sharp flavour. Needs a sheltered, sunny site but rewards you with large, juicy fruit.

Mandarins – ‘Imperial’ and ‘Emperor’ are dependable mid-season varieties that peel easily and crop well. ‘Japanese Seedless’ (Unshiu) is one of the most cold-tolerant mandarins you can grow, producing sweet, juicy fruit perfect for coastal spots.

Oranges – ‘Washington Navel’, ‘Lane’s Late’, and ‘Seedless Valencia’ perform beautifully against north-facing walls or in sunny courtyards. ‘Cara Cara Red’ adds a lovely pink flesh and rich flavour.

Limes – Limes love warmth and hate frost, so pots are their best friend in Tassie. ‘Tahitian’ is the hardiest, ‘Rangpur’ has a strong orange-lime flavour, and ‘Kaffir’ (both standard and dwarf) is grown mainly for its aromatic leaves.

Grapefruit – ‘Star Ruby’ and ‘Rio Red’ produce richly coloured fruit with a sweet, tangy flavour in sunny, sheltered spots.

Cumquat – Hardy, ornamental, and ideal for pots. The fruit are fantastic for marmalades, and the blossoms bring fragrance and pollinators to the garden.

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The Harmony Way

Citrus growing in Tasmania isn’t just about coaxing warmth — it’s about balance. Balance in the soil, the right nutrition, and supporting the living organisms that keep plants thriving.

When you look after the soil first, the plant looks after itself. With the right mix of Popul8, PowerFeed, TrichoShield, Life Force Pellets, Life Force Organic Sea Change, and Neutrog Giganic, you’re not just feeding your citrus — you’re building an ecosystem around it.

So whether you’re nurturing your first Meyer lemon or expanding into mandarins, oranges, and grapefruit, we’ve got the advice and the natural products to help your citrus thrive, the Harmony way.

Drop in anytime to chat about your garden, test your soil pH, or pick up what your plants need to shine through the season.

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Recognising Citrus Deficiencies

Citrus leaves reveal a lot about nutrient balance.
Here’s how to read them:

    Magnesium example                                       Nitrogen example     Iron example

 

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Wind-Burn and Weather Stress

Strong wind and exposure can scorch leaves, rub fruit and reduce growth.
Look for silvering, brown edges, or corky fruit skin on the windward side of the canopy.

Prevention:

• Shelter young trees with a hedge, trellis, or screen.

• Maintain even watering and mulching.

• Prune for a balanced canopy that allows airflow without acting as a sail.

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Seasonal Care Checklist

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Thank You from Harmony

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who supported and attended the Citrus Workshop.
Your enthusiasm made the day a huge success, and it’s always inspiring to see so many locals growing their own food.

Citrus are generous plants. Give them warmth, measured feeding, and steady care, and they’ll reward you for decades with glossy leaves, fragrant flowers and fruit that truly tastes of sunshine.

Happy Gardening