- 1). Inspect your Meyer lemon's soil at least twice every week, whether you grow it outside or enjoy it indoors in a container. It's a good habit to check it at least every other day. Poke your finger into the soil to a depth of 2 to 3 inches, even if the surface looks and feels dry. You're looking for the moisture level of the soil surrounding the root ball, and the surface moisture isn't a reliable indicator. If the soil feels dry at that depth, the plant needs water.
- 2). Water both container Meyer lemon trees and those in the ground as early in the morning as you can. This gives the plant a full day to absorb the water it needs while allowing excess moisture to evaporate. Avoid watering late in the day. Water isn't absorbed by the plant as well during cooler nighttime hours and doesn't evaporate well, leaving the plant more susceptible to mold, fungus and disease.
- 3). Run 1/2 inch of water slowly into the Meyer lemon's container. Allow the water to soak in completely, then repeat. Stick your finger into the soil to check your progress. Continue watering and checking until the soil feels evenly moist 2 or 3 inches deep.
- 4). Check your container Meyer lemon's soil two or three days later. It will typically need water two to three times weekly during the spring and fall and may require daily watering during the summer months. It will probably only need weekly watering during the winter. Container plants dry out much more quickly than those growing in the ground. Plants grown in smaller pots dry out more quickly than those in larger containers.
- 5). Construct a water ring around the in-ground Meyer lemon tree at its drip line. Dig some soil up from another part of your property and use it to build a little levee several inches thick and about 6 inches tall.
- 6). Fill the levee with water and allow it to soak in completely. Poke your finger 2 or 3 inches into the soil. If it doesn't feel evenly moist at that depth, fill the ring with water again and repeat the process until it does. An in-ground tree with a trunk diameter of less than 1 inch typically requires water about two or three times weekly during the growing season. Older trees should do well with once-weekly watering. Water Meyer lemons of all ages about once or twice monthly during the winter months, but only when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are completely dry.
- 7). Water the wilted or excessively dry Meyer lemon as soon as you notice the condition, even if that's in the evening. This is an extreme situation that shouldn't wait until the next morning.
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