ZEST FOR LIFE

AT this time of year, you will often see small citrus trees such as lemons, limes, kumquats and oranges available for sale.

- DIARMUID GAVIN

You may have even received one for Christmas and perhaps sliced a lemon for your gin and tonic, plucking the fruit from your tree.

But how do you look after these plants so they will bear fruit every year?

They may be sold in the houseplant section of your garden centre or supermarket but they aren't really suitable for most of our centrally heated homes.

Tropical citruses like a steady temperature so when the heating goes off at night they shiver, and during the day they get too hot and dry and that's when they drop their leaves.

So the best place for a citrus fruit is in a sunny sheltered spot outside during the summer, perhaps on your patio or balcony, and keep them well fed and watered.