In the Gard, the winter cold changes a lot from one place to another. One winter in ten, it falls to about −6 °C in Nîmes and on the coast, −8 °C in the Rhône valley, −10 °C in the garrigues (dry limestone scrubland), the Uzège and around Alès, −11 °C in the Cévennes valleys and −14 °C on the Aigoual and the Causses (limestone plateaus).
We went through thirty winters of Météo-France records, from 1996 to 2026, and compared them with the hardiness of each of our plants. Choose your area below. You will find:
- the citrus trees that spend the winter outdoors without protection;
- those that need a fleece on frosty nights;
- those that stay in a pot.
The lists are kept up to date: only the plants available today are shown with a photo.
- −5 °C or milder
- −6 to −7 °C
- −8 to −9 °C
- −10 to −11 °C
- −12 to −13 °C
- −14 to −15 °C
- −16 to −17 °C
- −18 to −19 °C
- −20 °C and colder
Colour: the cold of one winter in ten, on the plain. Click on a neighbouring département to see its page. Map of the whole of France.
Choose your area:
−6 °Cone winter in ten
Nîmes, Beaucaire and the coast
Nîmes, Marguerittes, Bellegarde, Beaucaire, Aigues-Mortes, Le Grau-du-Roi
See the citrus trees for this area
The mildest part of the département: −6 °C one winter in ten and −4 °C in an ordinary winter. The coast is milder still: −5.0 °C one winter in ten at Aigues-Mortes; choose your citrus trees according to that cold. Satsumas, yuzus, kumquats, citranges, orange trees and clementines spend the winter outdoors here; lemon trees with a fleece, against a south-facing wall, sheltered from the mistral.
Nîmes-Courbessac
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has foot-of-slope soils, sands and river alluvium.
Rootstocks to favour: Poncirus, then FA5.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −6 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 65 available plants that withstand −6 °C
Sold out for now: 46 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Hana Yuzu, Haruka, Harumi, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Iyo Mikan Tangor, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mandalate Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Moro Orange, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Ota 38 Tangor, Rio Red Grapefruit, Salustiana Orange, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Thornless Yuzu, US SuperNa, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Yuzu, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −3 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Eureka Lemon
down to −5 °C · €29.75
-
Lightly Variegated Tahiti Lime
down to −3 °C · €36.55
-
Lunario Lemon
down to −5 °C · €29.75
-
Makrut Lime
down to −5 °C · €32.30
-
Menton Lemon
down to −5 °C · €34.85
-
Meyer Lemon
down to −5 °C · €38.00
-
Tahiti Lime
down to −5 °C · €35.00
-
Verna Lemon
down to −5 °C · €35.00
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −3 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−8 °Cone winter in ten
Rhône valley
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Les Angles, Roquemaure, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, Laudun-l'Ardoise, Pont-Saint-Esprit
See the citrus trees for this area
The Rhône valley, swept by the mistral, on often chalky soil: −8 °C one winter in ten and −6 °C in an ordinary winter. Orange trees, the hardiest clementines, satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter outdoors here; lemon trees and the other clementines with a fleece. Plant sheltered by a wall or a hedge.
Cavillargues
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has foot-of-slope soils, chalky soils and river alluvium. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstocks to favour: FA5, then C35.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −8 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 57 available plants that withstand −8 °C
Sold out for now: 43 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Hana Yuzu, Haruka, Harumi, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Moro Orange, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Ota 38 Tangor, Rio Red Grapefruit, Salustiana Orange, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Thornless Yuzu, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Yuzu, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −5 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Carvalhal Early Mandarin
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Star Ruby Grapefruit
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Bergamot Fantastico
down to −7 °C · €35.00
-
Tavares Limequat
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Early Clementine
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Moon Finger Lime
down to −7 °C · €41.00
-
Encore Mandarin
down to −7 °C · €35.00
-
Purple Finger Lime
down to −7 °C · €45.00
See all 15 available plants that withstand −5 °C
Sold out for now: 3 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Iyo Mikan Tangor, Mandalate Mandarin, US SuperNa.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −5 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−10 °Cone winter in ten
Garrigues, Vidourle, Uzège and Alès
Alès, Uzès, Sommières, Vauvert, Quissac, Barjac
See the citrus trees for this area
Garrigues and inland plains, on often chalky soil: −10 °C one winter in ten. The valley bottoms freeze hard: one winter in ten, Montclus, in the Cèze valley, falls to −11.4 °C, Vic-le-Fesq, on the banks of the Vidourle, to −10.4 °C. Satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges live outdoors here; orange trees and clementines with a fleece, against a south-facing wall. Lemon trees stay in pots.
Conqueyrac
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has river alluvium, chalky soils and foot-of-slope soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstocks to favour: FA5, then C35.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −10 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
-
Morton Citrange
down to −15 °C · €35.00
See all 32 available plants that withstand −10 °C
Sold out for now: 27 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Hana Yuzu, Harumi, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Nameiwa Kumquat, Rio Red Grapefruit, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −7 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Fukumoto Orange
down to −8 °C · €35.00
-
Clemenules Clementine
down to −9 °C · €35.00
-
Marsh Seedless Grapefruit
down to −9 °C · €29.75
-
Kabosu
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuko
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Tavares Limequat
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Cara Cara Orange
down to −8 °C · €35.00
See all 33 available plants that withstand −7 °C
Sold out for now: 19 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Haruka, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Iyo Mikan Tangor, Mandalate Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Moro Orange, Natsudaidai, Ota 38 Tangor, Salustiana Orange, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, US SuperNa, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −7 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−11 °Cone winter in ten
Cévennes valleys
Le Vigan, Valleraugue, Saint-Jean-du-Gard, Anduze, La Grand-Combe, Génolhac
See the citrus trees for this area
Deep valleys at the foot of the Cévennes: −11 °C one winter in ten. The valley bottom holds the cold: one winter in ten, Saint-Jean-du-Gard (196 m) falls to −11.1 °C, La Grand-Combe (499 m) to −9.3 °C. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter here without protection; the other satsumas, kumquats, orange trees and the hardiest clementines with a fleece; lemon trees and the other clementines stay in pots. Plant on a sunny terrace, never by the stream.
Générargues
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has very thin soils over rock, ordinary brown soils and river alluvium.
Rootstocks to favour: Poncirus, then FA5.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −11 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Morton Citrange
down to −15 °C · €35.00
-
Clemyuz
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Eremorange
down to −12 °C · €35.00
See all 19 available plants that withstand −11 °C
Sold out for now: 12 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Hana Yuzu, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −8 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Satsuma Miyagawa
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Kishu Kino Kuni Mandarin
down to −10 °C · €42.00
-
Welker Grapefruit
down to −10 °C · €35.00
-
Kinkoji
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuko
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 38 available plants that withstand −8 °C
Sold out for now: 31 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Corsican Mountain Orange, Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Haruka, Harumi, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Moro Orange, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Ota 38 Tangor, Rio Red Grapefruit, Salustiana Orange, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Pucheng, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −8 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−14 °Cone winter in ten
Aigoual and Causses
Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu, Alzon, Lanuéjols, Dourbies
See the citrus trees for this area
The high country, on the slopes of the Aigoual and the Causses, on often chalky soil: −14 °C one winter in ten and −18.1 °C recorded at Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu in March 2005. One winter in ten, Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu (1,107 m) falls to −15.9 °C, Alzon (611 m) to −12.8 °C. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter in the ground here without protection, only just: keep a fleece for them for exceptional nights. The other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here with a fleece at each frost; the other citrus trees stay in pots.
Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has chalky soils, river alluvium and very thin soils over rock. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstocks to favour: FA5, then Poncirus. Poncirus only if the active lime stays below about 5% (soil analysis).
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −14 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −11 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Ichang Lemon Shangyuan
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
US 119
down to −12 °C · €35.00
-
Clemyuz
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Eremorange
down to −12 °C · €35.00
See all 14 available plants that withstand −11 °C
Sold out for now: 10 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −11 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
Readings from the Météo-France stations (winters 1996-1997 to 2025-2026)
| Station | Altitude | Ordinary winter | One winter in ten | Record | Winters at −9 °C or below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aigues-Mortes | 1 m | −2.2 °C | −5 °C | −6.7 °C (5 February 2012) | 0 out of 29 |
| Beaucaire | 15 m | −3.5 °C | −6.2 °C | −7.5 °C (29 December 1996) | 0 out of 30 |
| Nîmes-Garons | 94 m | −3.5 °C | −6.7 °C | −7.5 °C (5 February 2012) | 0 out of 30 |
| Nîmes-Courbessac | 59 m | −3.9 °C | −6.8 °C | −7.8 °C (30 December 2005) | 0 out of 30 |
| Chusclan | 30 m | −4.2 °C | −7.7 °C | −7.8 °C (2 January 2002) | 0 out of 25 |
| Meynes | 71 m | −4.2 °C | −6.1 °C | −7.5 °C (4 February 2012) | 0 out of 22 |
| Deaux | 185 m | −4.3 °C | −8 °C | −9.1 °C (5 February 2012) | 1 out of 30 |
| Pont-Saint-Esprit | 79 m | −4.5 °C | −7.7 °C | −8 °C (5 February 2012) | 0 out of 24 |
| Gallargues-le-Montueux | 17 m | −4.7 °C | −9 °C | −9.1 °C (25 December 2001) | 2 out of 25 |
| La Grand-Combe | 499 m | −4.7 °C | −9.3 °C | −10.1 °C (5 February 2012) | 3 out of 24 |
| Vestric-et-Candiac | 26 m | −5 °C | −8 °C | −8 °C (25 December 2001) | 0 out of 24 |
| Génolhac | 519 m | −5.7 °C | −9.6 °C | −10 °C (27 December 1996) | 5 out of 23 |
| Villevieille | 41 m | −5.8 °C | −8.8 °C | −9.7 °C (20 December 2009) | 2 out of 30 |
| Saint-Martial | 483 m | −5.9 °C | −10.2 °C | −10.4 °C (12 February 2012) | 2 out of 22 |
| Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas | 71 m | −6 °C | −7.9 °C | −10.2 °C (2 March 2005) | 1 out of 23 |
| Pujaut | 44 m | −6 °C | −9.2 °C | −10.3 °C (2 January 2002) | 3 out of 30 |
| Saint-Christol-lès-Alès | 129 m | −6.1 °C | −9.5 °C | −12 °C (5 February 2012) | 4 out of 30 |
| Cavillargues | 131 m | −6.2 °C | −8.6 °C | −10.6 °C (2 March 2005) | 2 out of 29 |
| Uzès | 72 m | −6.3 °C | −9.5 °C | −12.1 °C (2 March 2005) | 4 out of 24 |
| Salindres | 191 m | −6.4 °C | −9.5 °C | −11.4 °C (2 March 2005) | 5 out of 30 |
| Mandagout | 485 m | −6.6 °C | −11.1 °C | −11.1 °C (12 February 2012) | 3 out of 24 |
| Cardet | 109 m | −6.6 °C | −9.7 °C | −10.2 °C (20 December 2009) | 4 out of 30 |
| Saint-Jean-du-Gard | 196 m | −6.9 °C | −11.1 °C | −12.4 °C (12 February 2012) | 7 out of 29 |
| La Rouvière | 79 m | −7 °C | −9.3 °C | −11.4 °C (2 March 2005) | 3 out of 30 |
| Générargues | 139 m | −7.1 °C | −10.3 °C | −13.3 °C (5 February 2012) | 8 out of 30 |
| Colognac | 589 m | −7.4 °C | −10.6 °C | −13 °C (27 February 2018) | 8 out of 28 |
| Arphy | 427 m | −7.5 °C | −11.2 °C | −12.3 °C (12 February 2012) | 7 out of 24 |
| Méjannes-le-Clap | 313 m | −7.6 °C | −10.8 °C | −11.7 °C (15 December 2001) | 9 out of 30 |
| Le Vigan | 222 m | −7.8 °C | −10.5 °C | −12.5 °C (12 February 2012) | 10 out of 30 |
| Vic-le-Fesq | 45 m | −7.8 °C | −10.4 °C | −12.1 °C (2 March 2005) | 6 out of 30 |
| Montclus | 120 m | −7.8 °C | −11.4 °C | −13.1 °C (2 March 2005) | 8 out of 25 |
| Conqueyrac | 135 m | −8.9 °C | −11.5 °C | −14.4 °C (5 February 2012) | 11 out of 23 |
| Alzon | 611 m | −9.5 °C | −12.8 °C | −13.4 °C (1 March 2005) | 15 out of 27 |
| Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu | 1107 m | −12.2 °C | −15.9 °C | −18.1 °C (1 March 2005) | 25 out of 28 |
“Ordinary winter”: half of the winters go colder, the other half less cold. “One winter in ten”: this cold is reached or exceeded in about one winter in ten. Calculations by the Greffeur d'agrumes nursery.
How to read these figures
The hardiness given on our product pages is the cold that an adult, healthy and hardened citrus tree withstands during a short frost. We compare it with the cold that comes back about one winter in ten: a plant listed “without protection” withstands at least that cold. In harsher winters, about three in thirty, keep a winter fleece ready for the coldest nights.
Very harsh winters are still possible. In February 2012, Nîmes-Garons fell to −7.5 °C and Saint-Christol-lès-Alès to −12.0 °C; in March 2005, Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu recorded −18.1 °C. Such cold can burn the leaves or a few shoots of a citrus tree that is only just hardy enough. Wait for spring to see what grows back before pruning.
To understand what helps a tree get through frost, read Understanding citrus hardiness.
Our advice for the Gard
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects at the bottom of valleys and in enclosed plains. The records show it: one winter in ten, Montclus, in the Cèze valley, falls to −11.4 °C while Pont-Saint-Esprit, on the banks of the Rhône, stays at −7.7 °C. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Shelter from the mistral. This cold, dry wind dries out the leaves in winter, especially in the Rhône valley and around Nîmes. A hedge, a wall or a fence on the north side protects the tree.
- Choose the rootstock for your soil. In the Rhône valley, the garrigues and on the Causses, the soil is often chalky: FA5 does better. Poncirus is the most cold-resistant and copes with drought better than 4475. In heavy soil, plant on a mound. Our 5-step test helps you choose: Which rootstock should you choose?
- Water in summer. Summers are dry: a citrus tree in the ground needs regular, deep watering, especially in the first years.
- Plant in spring, once the frosts are over. The tree then has a whole season to take root before its first winter. From September onwards, no fertiliser and no pruning.
- Protect young plants on nights below −5 °C during the first years. Put the winter fleece on at each frost and take it off as soon as the frost stops.
- Mulch in summer only, against drought, without the straw touching the trunk. Pull it away from the foot of the tree at the end of autumn: moisture at the collar encourages phytophthora.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant a lemon tree in the ground in Nîmes?
Yes, with a fleece. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and Nîmes falls to −6 °C one winter in ten. Plant it against a south-facing wall, sheltered from the mistral, and cover it at each frost. In the garrigues, around Alès and in the Cévennes, keep it in a pot. For a safer sour fruit, choose a yuzu or a hardy lemon substitute instead. You will find them in Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in the Gard?
Citranges, which withstand −15 °C, spend the winter without protection throughout the département. So do yuzus, from the coast to the Cévennes valleys. Satsumas and kumquats manage without it from the coast to the garrigues; in the Cévennes valleys, only the hardiest satsumas do, and the others and kumquats need a fleece. On the Aigoual and the Causses, at −14 °C one winter in ten, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter without protection; the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki) and the hardiest satsumas hold out with a fleece. They are brought together in Hardy citrus.
What about orange trees and clementines?
They withstand −7 to −9 °C depending on the variety. Around Nîmes and on the coast, they spend the winter outdoors. In the Rhône valley, so do orange trees and the hardiest clementines; put a fleece on the other clementines on frosty nights. In the garrigues and around Alès, grow them with a fleece, against a south-facing wall. In the Cévennes valleys, only orange trees and the hardiest clementines can try the ground, with a fleece. On the Aigoual and the Causses, keep them in pots.
My town is not listed: which area should I choose?
Take the nearest area at the same altitude, then compare with the nearest station in the table of readings. Near the sea, winter is milder; in an enclosed plain or at the bottom of a valley, take off one or two degrees.
These figures are guidelines. Your garden may be milder or colder than the nearest station. A question about your plot? Write to us.
Sources: Météo-France, daily basic climatological data (data.gouv.fr, Licence Ouverte 2.0); near the eastern border, also the Deutscher Wetterdienst (Datenlizenz Deutschland 2.0); towns, altitudes and boundaries: INSEE, IGN (Admin Express, RGE ALTI) and geo.api.gouv.fr (Licence Ouverte); soils: dominant soil map INRAE / Gis Sol (Licence Ouverte). Topsoil lime: LUCAS, European Commission, JRC (ESDAC, Ballabio et al. 2019).