The objective of this study was to determine the soil conditions that affect growth and yield of citrus orchards growing under a semiarid climate in Northwestern Mexico. Separate soil samples of High‐ and Low‐yielding areas in growth and yield were taken on seven orchards. In each area, yield, salinity, pH, infiltration velocity (Iv), and soil compaction were determined. The average yield in the High‐yielding areas was 162 kg/tree and in the Low‐yielding areas 48 kg/tree. The soil compaction was 15 bars higher in the Low‐yielding areas as compared to the High‐yielding areas. Regarding soil analyses, the average values in the Low‐yielding areas were: ECe = 3.8 dS/m, sodium = 17 meq/L, calcium = 16 meq/L, magnesium = 3.8 meq/L, and exchangeable dodium percent (ESP) = 7.2. On the other hand, the average values for the High‐yielding areas were: ECe = 1.1 dS/m, sodium = 6 meq/L, calcium = 4 meq/L, magnesium =1.2 meq/L, and ESP = 4.6. In the Low‐yielding areas, a 10 cm water table can be infiltrated in 11 days, while in the High‐yielding areas, this infiltration occurs in a few hours.