I just look for the best conditions in the house and put my plants wherever I can.

When adding my citrus this year, I did the same thing, a dry run layout with empty pots. You still have to account for branches and foliage, plus maintenance needs.

I also find lighting important, not only for growth, but to be able to inspect plants.

You brought up a point I did not consider. Space between the rows to do maintenance and pest checks. Thanks! I just put the pots edge to edge.

Denise, when I water my trees inside it’s like a yoga workout...I end up drenched in sweat! I am mentally planning how I’m going to arrange them this year. It’s going to be tough.

I am lucky in the fact my winters are temperate and can take my trees out occasionally for watering and sunshine on days above 45F, but I still will have to periodically check for bugs like termites. Seriously. I found them in my pots before so I may put them in empty holeless pots just to be on the safe side. The joys of living in the southeast. lol.

I was starting to think I was stupid for preplanning. lol.

evdesert, I used to live in CA too and miss it because of the climate. When I lived there, I planted stone fruit trees around the perimeter of the yard as well. Have you gotten all the trees you wanted? For me, there is always some new variety on the market that tastes good and have to have in my collection. If you are a citrusaholic like many of us, you will eventually add more than what you expected. lol. For me, I think I can just add 2 next year and then will have to reevaluate what I have and eliminate something to make room for a better one. I have 4 Owari satsumas and don't need all of them. I got carried away. lol.

Denise, I am definitely a citrusholic. I have 20 citrus trees in my yard and like you I need new varieties when I see them. Unfortunately not all trees do well in my yard due to my extreme summer temps. If I had a choice I would own 20+ acres out in the desert with my own mini citrus orchard with as many different varieties as I could fit on the land. I wouldn’t even want to sell the fruit from the trees but grow it and then share with friends. Here are the varieties I have in my yard.

Tango mandarin x 3 (all on different rootstocks)

Key Lime x 2

Pixie Mandarin

Meyer Lemon

Eureka Lemon

Variegated Pink Eureka

Rio Red Grapefruit

Cocktail Pomelo

Oro Blanco x 2

Moro Blood Orange

Valencia Orange

Trovita Orange

Cara Cara Navel Orange

Gold Nugget Mandarin

Valentine Pomelo

Pomona Sweet Lemon

I still want to add a minneola Tangelo but I have no room left in my yard.

Evan

"I still want to add a minneola Tangelo but I have no room left in my yard."

Welcome to my world. lol. You have plenty of room, extend the growing area. You really don't need all that grass. It's just more area to water and mow. hahaha

You live in Indio. Where are the date trees? I love dates, I would have incorporated those somewhere in the yard.

I might add another Irrigation lateral in my yard to feed another couple trees. Date trees are too messy, if I really want dates I can always go to shields date gardens and buy them fresh there. I’m not a huge date fan, date shakes for sure though.

Evan, you crack me up!

evdesert, I didn't know dates were messy plants. Is it the annual pruning of the fronds or because you don't like the fruit drop because you don't eat them?

Yes it’s the fruit drop, plus once the trees get too tall, how do I harvest the fruit without the danger of falling 20’-30’ to the ground. Not to mention the amount of water they consume, date palms can take 150 gallons of water daily to keep them in good shape. We are still in a drought here and I do not want to contribute to the problem any more than I already do.

Laura, couldn’t help a little bit of humor.

evdesert, I was not aware that dates take so much water. One sees them in the desert so assume they are drought tolerant. Learned something new. Thank you.

Evan I want to have your problem. But only just a little bit ;)

Denise,

The most efficient use of space is to leave a keyhole for access, maintenance, and viewing.