April 4, 2012

This year’s orange crop has been amazing. I can’t remember a year in the past twenty when we’ve harvested so many oranges from our “dwarf” Washington navel. We’ve given them away in dozen lots. Halfway through the season my husband crawled under the tree to inspect the crop visible from the interior. He emerged to say there were at least another hundred oranges ensconced in foliage. 

Southern California winter sunshine and cool nights make delicious oranges. Caring for the tree and the soil also helps. In late January, as the tree emerges from quiescence I prepare for next year’s crop. It’s not too late to do this now.

First, I clear out any weeds, old leaves and buried doggie chew strips. The circular berm keeps irrigation water away from the tree trunk. For fertilizer, I use Dr. Earth Fruit Tree Fertilizer (per label directions) spread out to the dripline from the berm. Then I layer a couple inches of my compost (rich in worm castings) under the tree’s canopy. The nutrients from the compost seep into the soil and nourishes the tree.

A thick layer of mulch is next. During the heat of summer mulch keeps the soil cool and reduces evaporation. Mulch supports rich microbial populations in the soil which then help plants utilize nutrients. It also does a decent job of keeping the weeds down. This year I used the Green Grind Mulch from the City of San Diego’s, “The Greenery.” I paid $8/cubic yard and like the final look. I used the same mulch on my guava, apricot and apple trees as well. This could be my new favorite textured mulch.

Grass competes with the orange tree for water and nutrients so I keep the grass in check with a border which is roughly at the dripline. Pesky ants climb the trunk, causing all sorts of mischief and disease. I spread Tanglefoot, a sticky (organic) insect barrier on the green landscape tape you can see on the trunk to discourage the ants. Last year’s “gunk” needs to be scraped off and fresh Tanglefoot applied.

My dog, Lucy also likes the cool shade of the orange tree. She rearranges the mulch and settles down in the earthy compost. Screens set atop the mulch discourages such behavior. 

If the whole task becomes wearisome, I just conjure the experience of freshly squeezed orange juice on a winter morning.