Phoenix has a great climate for growing citrus. Farmers have been growing citrus as a major cash crop for over 100 years in this area. Many people plant citrus trees in their yards, hoping to be able to enjoy the sweet fruit that the tree produces. With a little bit of care it is easy to grow citrus trees which will produce fruit for many years.

• Watering- citrus trees require large amounts of water to grow properly. The best method for watering is irrigation. This allows for a deep watering which will penetrate the roots of the tree. The trees should be watered on a regular schedule.
• Shade- Citrus trees do well in the heat, as long as their branches and trunk are not directly exposed to the brutal sunlight of a Phoenix summer. There are a few solutions to prevent the tree from becoming sunburned. The tree can be left unpruned; this will keep the trunk and branches shaded by the leaves. Many people think that an unpruned tree looks messy in their yard, but if the tree is pruned the trunk should be painted white to reflect the sunlight.
• Fertilizing- for the healthiest citrus tree, it is recommended that fertilizer be applied three times per year. The best times to feed the tree are in early March, Late May, and the middle of September.
• Cold weather- The Phoenix area has relatively mild winters, but there are a few days each year that require a freeze warning. Citrus trees do not do well in freezing temperatures, so if a freeze warning is issued the trees should be covered to protect them from being damaged.