One of my favorite parts about wintertime is the fresh citrus available. Have you ever received a box of Texas grapefruit for a Christmas present? Those are a great treat!
The Lower Rio Grande Valley is known for citrus production. Orchards were established along the coast as early as the 1880’s. The Ruby Red grapefruit was developed in the late 1920’s and patented in 1934, leading to a rise in the Texas citrus industry. At its height in the 1940’s, the Texas citrus industry had more than 100,000 acres planted throughout the Valley.
Severe freeze is the most limiting factor in citrus production, and Texas has had its share of hard freezes throughout the last half century. A few major freezes in 1983 and 1989, along with economic factors and urbanization, led to a decline in citrus acreage. Today, Texas has about 27,000 acres of citrus production grown in a three-county area in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Occasionally, I receive questions from folks who want to grow citrus in Williamson County. You have to be a little bit brave and stubborn to grow citrus this far north, but it can be done! We have some new varieties now that can handle the colder temperatures, and with the right care you can grow citrus in your backyard.
Satsumas are a type of mandarin orange that can handle cooler temperatures in our area. You can also look for kumquat, calamondin, and Changsa tangerine. Limes, Meyer Lemon, and citrons can also grow here, but will be severely damaged if temperatures drop to 23-28 degrees.
Try planting citrus in large pots that can be brought inside during cold weather. Citrus plants that have survived a few seasons in Texas might be put in the ground if you can find a sunny location that is protected from northern winds.
For more information about growing citrus, visit the Fruit and Nut page on the Aggie Horticulture website: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/ or contact Kate Whitney, Horticulture Extension Agent, at the Williamson County AgriLife Extension Office at 512-943-3300.
