How to grow orange trees

Easy step by step guide how to grow orange trees

Things You'll Need:

* Compost Makers
* Fertilizers
* Garden Hoses
* Mulch
* Orange Trees
* Shovels

Step 1
Purchase an orange variety adapted to your area. For example, Washington navels grow well in California, while Valencia oranges are adapted to Arizona, Texas and Florida, as well as California.

Step 2
Plant the tree in a warm, sunny area where the soil drains well.

Step 3
Mulch to conserve water.

Step 4
Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 10 days in midsummer. Water less often if it rains or if the weather is cool.

Step 5
Fertilize every four to six weeks from February to August.

Step 6
Protect trees from frost if temperatures are forecast to drop below 28 degrees F.

Step 7
Harvest oranges when they taste sweet. Timing will vary by variety and growing area.

Wind MachineProtection from frost is critical. Most tree will freeze when fruit temperature drops to 27-28°F. The main methods of frost protection in California and Arizona are by wind and water. Wind machines -- large fans on poles about fifty feet above the grove -- are turned on when the temperatures near freezing. The fans mix the slightly warmer air above the grove with the colder air near the ground, which warms the air around the tree.

By applying water, the heat built up in the soil during the day is lost more slowly, and air temperatures around the fruit stay warm a little longer. A few growers still use oil-burning orchard heaters, but this once common method is seldom used now because of the cost.