One of the perks of growing a lemon tree is that lemon trees are considered everbearing. It is always a plus to be able to enjoy the fruits of your tree not only for a season, but year-round.
Nearly all lemon trees are considered everbearing, including the Meyer, Eureka, Lisbon, and Ponderosa varieties, which are some of the most common types and most likely to be carried by your local nursery or garden center.
However, even though all varieties of lemon trees are classified as everbearing, this does not necessarily mean your lemon tree variety will produce a consistently bountiful harvest all year long. Read on to find out more.
What does everbearing mean?
Everbearing simply means that a variety of fruit-bearing tree will yield fruit year-round. However, this does not mean that the tree will produce consistent quantities of fruit year-round. Many fruit trees that are considered everbearing still display some amount of seasonality, meaning the tree will produce more fruit during a certain season, and less during others. With most lemon trees, it is common to see the tree produce more crop during the winter and spring seasons, with lesser amounts of fruit still producing sporadically throughout the rest of the year.
What are the advantages of having an everbearing lemon tree?
If you choose an everbearing fruit tree variety, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your tree year-round, not merely for a season. An everbearing lemon tree means having home-grown lemons on hand at all times. You can use these lemons for creating (and then indulging in) delicious citrus delicacies such as lemonade, lemon bars, pasta al limone, and more! Food and beverages are not the only uses for lemons, however. Did you know that lemons can also play a role in cleaning and freshening up your home? Lemon juice is used in many DIY cleaning solutions and air fresheners for its antibacterial and surfactant qualities, and of course its iconic, fresh scent.
Which lemon tree varieties are everbearing?
Although all lemon trees are considered everbearing, certain types tend to produce a more bountiful crop during specific seasons. Below are some of the most common varieties of lemon trees available at nurseries and garden centers. See below to find out what to expect about the production tendencies of each specific variety.
Meyer: Everbearing
Meyer lemon trees are considered everbearing, and bear fruit all year long. However, they flower most heavily in the spring season, resulting in the largest bounty of crop ready for harvest during the winter.
Eureka: Everbearing
Eureka lemon trees are considered everbearing, and bear fruit all year long, with the bulk of the crop occurring in the winter and spring months.
Lisbon: Everbearing
Lisbon lemon trees are considered everbearing and produce a primary crop in winter, and a secondary crop during spring.
Ponderosa: Everbearing
Ponderosa lemon trees tend to bloom and begin the majority of fruit production in early spring, however a second round typically occurs in early summer, which gives the Ponderosa its classification of everbearing.
Villafranca: Everbearing
The Villafranca lemon tree is considered everbearing, however there are two prominent strains of Villafranca. One strain exhibits a more seasonal distribution, producing the bounty of its crop during the winter season.
Even though all lemon trees are considered everbearing, nearly all varieties tend to bear more fruit during specific seasons. Once you know what to expect from your lemon tree variety, you can prepare accordingly for the seasons during which your tree will produce heavier or lighter harvests.