Growing Guides
Everything you need to know to grow thriving fruit trees — whether you're a seasoned gardener or a complete beginner.
At Fast Growing Fruit Trees we believe an informed grower is a successful grower. Our growing guides are designed to help you choose the right tree, plant it correctly, and care for it through every season.
Best Fruit Trees for Southern California — A Beginner's Guide
Southern California is one of the most fruit-friendly climates in the world. With mild winters, warm summers, and abundant sunshine, home growers here can harvest fresh fruit nearly year-round with the right tree selection.
Meyer Lemon — The ultimate Southern California tree. Nearly year-round production, thrives in containers and in the ground, and produces sweet thin-skinned lemons far superior to grocery store varieties. Perfect for first-time growers.
Hass Avocado — Southern California's signature fruit. Thrives in our climate and produces abundantly from April through August. Dwarf varieties grow beautifully in large containers.
Navel Orange — A winter-spring classic. Ripens November through March — exactly when you want fresh citrus. Easy to grow and incredibly productive.
Brown Turkey Fig — One of the most forgiving and productive trees you can grow in SoCal. Drought tolerant, produces two crops per year, and grows equally well in containers or garden beds.
Pomegranate — Loves heat, tolerates drought, produces stunning fruit from September through November.
Santa Rosa Plum — Developed right here in California. Sweet, juicy, and one of the most reliable stone fruit trees for Southern California home gardens.
Pro tip: Plant a Meyer Lemon for winter citrus, a Hass Avocado for spring and summer, and a Pomegranate for fall — fresh fruit every month of the year.
How to Grow a Dwarf Citrus Tree in a Container
Can you really grow a fruit tree in a pot? Absolutely — and dwarf citrus trees are some of the best container plants you can grow.
Choosing the Right Container Use a container at least 15-20 gallons. Make sure it has drainage holes. Terra cotta and fabric pots breathe better than plastic.
The Right Soil Mix Use a premium potting mix designed for citrus and palms, or mix standard potting soil with 30% perlite for improved drainage.
Sunlight Requirements Citrus need a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. South or west-facing patios and balconies are ideal.
Watering Water deeply when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. In summer every 3-4 days. In winter every 7-10 days. Never let the tree sit in standing water.
Fertilizing Feed with a slow-release citrus fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. This is the single biggest factor in fruit production.
When to Expect Fruit Most dwarf citrus trees produce fruit within 1-2 years. Meyer Lemons are typically the fastest producers.