When to Plant Lemon Tree in Oak Ridge, North Carolina (27310)

Location

Oak Ridge, North Carolina

ZIP Code

27310

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Friday, April 17, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Sow Lemon Tree directly outdoors 4 weeks after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Citrus limon

Days to Maturity 1095 days

Mature Height 60-120"

Spread 96"

Type Evergreen Tree

Fruit Size Medium (2-3 inches)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (8+ hours)

💧

Water

Moderate (deep, infrequent watering)

↔️

Spacing

120" apart

Ready to Plant Lemon Tree in Oak Ridge?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, April 17, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

MarigoldLavenderLemon Balm

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Lemon Tree

See which plants help Lemon Tree thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌿 Fruit Tree Fertilizer 🕸️ Garden Netting 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🪴 Vegetative propagation

Propagate vegetatively, not by seed

Lemon seeds grow polyembryonic seedlings, many of which are true-to-type clones of the parent — worth trying.

Plant fresh seeds immediately — lemon seeds lose viability quickly when dried.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 0 plants of Lemon Tree. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Tree in Oak Ridge, North Carolina? +

In Oak Ridge (Zone 8a), direct sow Lemon Tree outdoors around Friday, April 17, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Oak Ridge, North Carolina? +

The average last spring frost date for Oak Ridge, North Carolina (ZIP 27310) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Lemon Tree take to grow? +

Lemon Tree typically matures in about 1095 days from direct sowing. In Oak Ridge, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, April 17, 2026 plus 1095 days.

Should I start Lemon Tree indoors or direct sow in North Carolina? +

Lemon Tree does best when direct sown outdoors. In Oak Ridge, sow directly around Friday, April 17, 2026.

📚 More Lemon Tree Planting Guides

🗺️

Lemon Tree in North Carolina

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Lemon Tree Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Oak Ridge

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Lemon Tree in Zone 8a

Lemon Tree (Citrus limon) is a popular garden vegetable. In Oak Ridge, North Carolina, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, April 17, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Lemon Tree grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.