A Lemon Tree of One's Own

One of my favorite things about living in California is the lemon trees. I just love them. Growing up in the Midwest, my Mom grew things like tomatoes and beans in our backyard garden, but no citrus. It's just too cold to grow lemons in Kentucky.

Driving across California on various road trips, I've always marveled at the bright yellow dotted trees lining roads, farms, and backyards. Every time I see a tree, it's like seeing one for the first time.

"Oh my gosh! Look at the lemons!"

While you don't see many lemon trees in San Francisco (I presume they're mostly in backyards), in suburbs like Palo Alto, they're almost a requisite to owning a house. When they're in season, it's common to see cardboard boxes of free lemons on sidewalks for passersby. I remember the first time I saw a box like this – I stopped in my tracks (I was running) and contemplated taking a few along with me on my run.

Since they bring me so much joy, this week I made a decision: If I live in California (or another agreeable climate), longer term, I want a lemon tree. Specifically, I'd love Meyer lemons, which are a hybrid of regular lemons and mandarins. And while I thought I'd need a yard to have a tree, I just learned there are heirloom dwarf lemon trees available on the internet! Maybe my dream isn't as far off as I once thought.

(Photo via The Home Depot.)