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Citrus trees grow in warm climates, so it goes without saying that they’re not usually great at withstanding very cold temperatures. In fact, as anyone who has attempted to grow their own citrus trees will know, a frosty snap has the potential to take them out. That said, thanks to a helpful tip from gardening TikToker, Rosemary Grows, this winter, that can be easily avoided. All you’ll need is a wheelbarrow for each tree.
While different kinds of citrus react differently to colder weather, anything between 26 degrees Fahrenheit and 32 degrees Fahrenheit can wreak havoc on your bounty. What’s more, 30 minutes to two hours is all it takes for some trees to be damaged. Keeping the trees warm is a must, then — and while there are a few ways of doing this, undoubtedly the most effective option is to bring the trees indoors. Potting the trees can help a lot with that … but enter, dilemma #2: Hauling a bunch of pots indoors (especially as your trees grow) isn’t always easy. You’ll want your trees to be easily movable, instead — and that’s where wheelbarrows come in.
By planting your citrus trees in wheelbarrows, you’re all set for weather changes. Simply wheel the plants indoors when necessary, and when it’s warmer, wheel them right back out. Plant protection, made easy. But there are a few things to keep in mind when trying this hack.
This may not be budget-friendly, but it is effective
@rosemary_grows
How I’m growing my citrus trees. #gardening #gardentok #gardeninghacks #growyourownfood
♬ Little Things – Adrian Berenguer
Step one: grab a wheelbarrow. Rosemary Grows opted for a Gorilla Carts 8-cu ft Plastic Yard Cart, available at Lowe’s. However, you can use one you already have if you’d prefer. From there, drill a few holes into the bottom. Then, top with soil and fertilizer, plant the tree, and water. That’s it! Your newly planted citrus tree can be moved in and out of a garage, enclosed porch, or greenhouse whenever a winter freeze is predicted.
Granted, as many TikTok users pointed out in the comments, wheelbarrows are a little on the pricey side. Sure enough, Rosemary Grows paid $120 per cart. For that reason, whether you’re repurposing a cart you already have, or purchasing a new one, one viewer suggested the added step of treating the cart with a UV protector, easily found on Amazon in a wipe formulation.
If a wheelbarrow isn’t in your budget right now, and if you’d rather not drill into the one you have, one alternative suggested by a commenter was a wheeled, outdoor trash can. A significantly cheaper option at $41 for two 32-gallon cans on Amazon, this is definitely a viable option for bigger trees. However, if your trees are younger and on the smaller side, carry your regular pots indoors. A pot too big can lead to rotting — and given just how much you want your citrus trees to survive the winter, that’s a risk not worth taking.
