For the past several years, we have been growing a Meyer lemon tree in a pot. This month we have started harvesting them. It looks like our yield will be 26 large lemons. Last year we enjoyed the lemons in margaritas and martinis as well as part of our every-day meals. My favorite use though was a large jar of homemade preserved lemons. They have such an intense, lemon flavor, slightly sweet with just a hint of tartness. I minced them and added them to Moroccan stews, couscous, vegetables, grilled and roasted chicken and fish.

We will soon be bringing the pot inside and placing it in a sunny window, whenever the temperature threatens to go below 40. After harvest, I will prune it back by at least a third. All long, weak branches will be lopped off, since they cannot hold the heavy fruit well. By Christmas, we will again be enjoying the sweet smell of lemon blossoms and again anticipating next year’s harvest.