A gardening enthusiast has shared a clever method for cultivating lemon plants from supermarket pips, offering a cost-effective alternative to purchasing expensive seeds while providing a rewarding horticultural experience.
How to Grow Lemons from Supermarket Pips
In a recent TikTok video, Simon, known online as @simonsakeroydgardener, demonstrated his straightforward technique for growing lemons at home. He advises buying irregular or "wonky" lemons from the supermarket, extracting their pips, and planting them in compost.
Simon explained: "How to grow a lemon from the shops. Lemons are easy to grow from pips, even from 'reject' wonky lemons. Cut the lemon in half, collect the pips, soak them overnight, then sow the pips in compost and soon they will start to grow."
Ideal Conditions for Lemon Growth
With consistent watering and sufficient sunlight, these pips can develop into a thriving lemon bush, eventually yielding homegrown fruit. This approach is particularly suitable for windowsills or greenhouses, making it accessible even for those with limited outdoor space.
Spring presents an opportune time to start seedlings, preparing them for potential summer planting in gardens.
Viewer Reactions and Experiences
Responses to the TikTok clip highlighted varied experiences with growing lemons from seed. One viewer commented: "I grew about 30 from seed last summer. Surprisingly about 20 survived winter. I'm hoping to get them into bigger pots this year and maybe plant them in the ground in the middle of summer."
Another shared challenges: "The trouble is where to keep it. I kept mine in the house for 10 years in a pot but it grew so big and had huge sharp thorns. When I finally put it outside it died in the frost. Unless you have a massive greenhouse that's heated in the winter, you're going to struggle."
A third user expressed interest: "I'm going to try this. I didn't know you could grow them in England, but do you have to grow them indoors or outside? Please give me any advice."
Additional Gardening Advice: The Lawn Squelch Test
This lemon-growing tip follows another recent gardening caution regarding lawn care in early spring. A gardening expert, @lawnnature on TikTok, warned against mowing lawns too soon in March, as premature cutting can cause damage rather than benefit.
The caption of his video stated: "Everyone's itching to get on the lawn... but trust me, wait!" He recommends performing a "squelch test" before using a lawnmower.
He elaborated: "If your foot sinks, your lawn isn't ready. As the spring season approaches, many homeowners are eager to enjoy their outdoor spaces and step onto their lawns. However, before you do that, it's crucial to make sure your lawn is truly ready."
Conducting the Squelch Test
This simple test involves walking across the lawn to assess ground conditions. If your foot sinks and the soil feels soggy, it indicates the lawn is too wet for mowing or heavy foot traffic.
The expert continued: "Stepping on wet soil can compact it, leading to potential damage and hindering the growth of your grass. If your lawn fails the squelch test, don't worry. There are several alternative ways to spend time in your garden whilst you wait for the right conditions."
Alternative tasks include aerating turf, removing garden waste, or planning planting schemes. These activities can promote healthy grass growth and prepare lawns for warmer months.
In conclusion, always check lawn conditions before mowing. By performing the squelch test and following proper care guidelines, you can maintain a beautiful and healthy outdoor space while exploring innovative gardening methods like growing lemons from pips.
