Cold Hardiness of Citrus

Lee Guidry Sr.
January 15, 2008
Sandra Jones
January 17, 2008
Lee Guidry Sr.
January 15, 2008
Sandra Jones
January 17, 2008

It is important to remember the cold hardiness of citrus when making decisions on what type to plant in our area. Citrus trees can be successfully grown in our area but it is important to remember that not all citrus is adapted to our cold winter temperatures. Lemons can be grown in our area but a hard freeze will cause significant damage. Limes are only recommended for container plantings as the cold will kill them to the ground. The cold hardiness of citrus ranges from kumquats (most hardy) to satsumas, sweet oranges, navel oranges, mandarin, grapefruit, tangerines, tangelo, lemons, and limes (least hardy).


Now is a good time to go by your Extension office and pick up a copy of the Louisiana Home Citrus production guide. This publication covers all phases of home citrus production including fertility, pest management, varieties, and planting information. You can also get it online at www.lsuagcenter.com.

Lawn Weed Management


Most lawns are looking bleak this time of year, with the exception of the winter annual weeds growing in them. We are currently seeing white clover (Trifolium repens) in many lawns. This winter annual is an indicator weed and suggests that this area is one of low fertility. You can just mow them down before they go to seed and minimize the number in that area next year.


We are also seeing another cool season annual in lawns known as Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). This have four-sided stems, opposite leaves and have purple flowers arranged in whorls. Proper mowing will help but the use of a post-emergent broadleaf herbicide for southern lawns will help control this and other broadleaf weeds at this time of year. Make sure you read, understand and follow all label directions.

Soil Sample Time


Now is a great time to take a soil sample for your lawn or garden. If you do it now, you will have time to get your results and make the appropriate adjustments in time for the spring garden. It is easy to do and will only take a few minutes. You will need to take several individual samples from a depth of four to six inches in your lawn or garden. Put these in a small bucket and mix them together. Put one pint of the combined mixture into a small plastic bag and label it with a permanent marker. Take a sample from each area and label them so you will remember it when the results come in.


Once the samples are completed, you will bring them in to the Extension office along with a check made payable to the: LSU Soil Test Lab, $7.00 per sample. You will also have to pay the postage that generally runs $3.00 to $4.00. Once the samples are mailed, you will get your results within 10 working days.

How to take soil samples


The following steps can be used as a general guideline:

1 – Divide into areas for sampling on basis of slope, type of plants grown, etc.

2 – Sample to depth of 2” -3″ for turf and 6″ for cultivate beds.

3 – Take soil from at least 10 places in each area to obtain a representative sample.

4 – Mix soil thoroughly.

5 – Remove one pint for laboratory sample. Label with identification number. Sample boxes are available from your county agent.

6 – Fill out sample submitting form and take it to your county extension office or mail to LSU AgCenter Soil Testing Laboratory for analysis

Question of the Week: When is the average last frost date for our area?

Answer: March 15th is the average last frost date for our area of the state. It is important to keep in mind that we can have a frost up through the first week of April. This is important, especially when preparing to transplant vegetables into your garden. You may want to secure a row cover from your local feed store or garden center just in case we get a late frost to protect these transplants.

For more information on these as well as other horticultural topics, call me at 985-446-1316 or email me at bhfletcher@agctr.lsu.edu. You can also check out the LSU AgCenter website at www.lsuagcenter.com.