As I drive around Southeast Texas, I see trees bearing round green fruit that are turning pale orange. This is citrus season and the oranges, lemons and limes are beginning to ripen. Many people think about Florida and South Texas when they think about growing oranges, but did you know we can grow several varieties of citrus here?

In my yard, I currently grow Meyer lemons, satsumas, Cara Cara oranges and Valencia oranges. I have three different varieties of satsumas, but the sweetest ones come from my Xie Shen satsuma tree.

The fruit from my Owari satsuma is a close second. The Cara Cara orange has red/pink flesh inside and is deliciously sweet. The Valencia orange is very sweet, too, but not as easy to peel as the satsumas.

The Meyer lemons are in a category all their own. They are a cross between a lemon and an orange, so they are larger than most lemons you see in the store. They are great for making desserts, lemonade and jelly.

These are not the only varieties of citrus that will grow here. Kumquats are also very easily grown in our climate. They are about the size of a key lime, and are generally eaten whole or used to make marmalade. For more information about the different types of citrus that grow here, go to go to http://txmg.org/jcmg, click on “Links”, and then click on “Fruit and Nut Varieties.”

You can also attend the Golden Triangle Citrus Show from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Texas A&M AgriLIfe Extension office, 1225 Pearl St., No. 200, Beaumont. The cost is $10 and the speakers are citrus specialists from Texas A&M and from Southeast Texas.

To grow citrus in our area, site selection is important. You must choose an area that is either raised or is well drained. Citrus do not like standing water or saturated soil.

To test an area, dig a hole 3-4 feet deep and 6-12 inches wide and fill it with water. If the water drains in 24 to 36 hours, then it is a good place to plant your citrus tree. Also choose a site that is at least 6-8 feet away from a building.

If you are planting a Meyer lemon or an orange, it is best to plant them on the south side of your house to protect them from damaging winter winds. Research the variety you want to plant before you buy so that you don’t buy a citrus tree that will die during the winter freezes. Many satsuma oranges are cold hardy to 22 degrees, but most lemons are not. To avoid freeze damage just after planting your tree, wait until mid to late February to transplant your citrus outdoors.

For more information about planting citrus, come to the Golden Triangle Citrus Show mentioned above or reach Jefferson County Master Gardener, Melissa Starr, at melynstarr@hotmail.com or call Texas AgriLife Extension at 409-835-8461.