• Growing lemon trees in your backyard is rewarding and relatively simple.lemons on the tree image by Daria Miroshnikova from Fotolia.com
  
  Lemon trees are a multi-faceted addition to a landscape. The trees provide shade, color and scent, as well as fruit you can use as decorations and in both sweet and savory dishes. These trees do best in warmer environments, but they can grow in cooler climates as well. Be mindful of your lemon tree's cultural requirements to ensure maximum growth and fruit production.
  
  

Warmth

• Warmth is essential to lemon trees, which are the most cold-intolerant of all citrus trees, according to the Texas A&M University Extension. Plant your lemon tree or trees on the side of your home, or part of the yard, that gets the most sunlight. If you live in a colder climate that sees frost at night during certain times of the year, you will need to protect the tree. Remove mulch from the tree's base, as mulch will block the sun from reaching the roots. Pile dirt about 2 feet up the trunk, which is a process called "banking." Purchase tree wrap from a garden center and wrap it around the tree. For larger trees, you can place a blanket on top of the tree and let it hang down toward the trunk.
  
  

Soil

• Lemon trees can tolerate almost any type of soil, including infertile and poor soils, although those are not optimal. The trees grow best in well-drained soil, so clay soil is a poor choice because it won't drain easily. Silty and loamy soil is the best for lemon trees.
  
  

Nutrients

• Lemon trees need many of the same nutrients as other plants, such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. These citrus trees also benefit from other nutrients, including zinc and magnesium. To get optimal growth from your lemon tree, give it a slow-release fertilizer each spring and fall. Iron supplements are appropriate if the tree has yellowing leaves, which can indicate chlorosis.