poorly outdoor lemon tree

[oops!!!]

last year I inherited a large mature lemon tree in a big terracotta pot.It is a sheltered spot in the garden.We have had it covered with horticultural fleece during the cold weather and have only watered it sparingly in winter.Today we have removed the fleece and the tree is looking very sad.Brown leaves at the top and droopy leaves elsewhere.My dilemma is should I water it or not.
I have pushed my finger down into the soil about 3 inches and it is just damp
... Can u help.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi oops!!!, Lemon trees can easily be killed with too much love ! ie over-watering. Allow the compost to dry out in between waterings, it's far better to under water than over water. Give it a good dowsing rather than little and often.
Try to avoid cold tap water, rain water will be much less of a shock. Good Luck Tbird+
Ps remove any brown leaves and keep up the feeds.

[oops!!!]

Thanks t'bird for the advice Thats what I am scared of doing.. overwatering,..the brown leaves are crispy and so that makes me think it needs a good drink...oerrrr...i don't want it to die ...the few green lemons that were on it before we covered it up for winter have dropped off and some have rotted....it was a lovely tree last year and I am very concerned about it.