I'm jealous of your climate that allows you to grow so many lemons. I have a couple of citrus bushes in pots, and I have a hard time just keeping them alive inside in the winter, let alone getting them to produce!
Hi Jack,
Zone 8 here in Texas.
I just picked about 100 lbs of Meyer lemons from our three trees.
Not sure what varieties you have but some will die at 31F, so look up your specific variety.
Meyer lemons can take a wee bit more cold. I've got them against south-facing walls, they are about 7 years old. Whenever we have temps dropping below 30F, I cover them with a tarp and put a light in. Sometimes the outer limbs will still freeze, but the tree itself survives. I especially protect the trunk.
Ditto with our satsuma tangerine - got about 25 pounds from that tree this year :)
The Meiwa Kumquat can take a bit more cold, but I still cover it too.
About that south-facing wall...it is our house wall. This means I must keep the back of the trees trimmed, which I do all year. Lemons get quite big, and ours will likely grow taller than the house unless I keep trimming. I already use a step ladder to cover them.
Deborah
We give our overflow as presents to our family and friends. I try to pretty up the presentation with ribbons and bows, and sometimes put in mixed nuts, bags of cookies, stuff like that.
I may have spoiled my coworkers - they started inquiring about how the trees are doing in September, hint hint.