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Oranges are easy to pluck from the tree; the trick is to know when to harvest an orange. If you have ever purchased oranges from the local grocer, you are well aware that uniform orange color is not necessarily an indicator of a delicious, juicy orange; the fruit is sometimes dyed, which makes things confusing. The same rule of thumb applies when harvesting oranges; color is not always a determining factor.
As an orange grower, knowing the perfect time to pick oranges off the tree is key to getting the sweetest, juiciest fruit After watching your orange trees blossom in spring and tiny green oranges form in summer, you’ll be eager to start harvesting. But patience is still needed, as picking unripe oranges can lead to disappointment Follow these tips on identifying ripeness, variety harvest times, and proper picking techniques for orange success.
Judge Ripeness, Not Just Color
It’s tempting to use orange color as the ripe indicator, but color alone doesn’t guarantee readiness. Oranges naturally change color as temperatures cool, which often coincides with ripeness but not always. While green means unripe, deep orange may just reflect cold weather rather than mature fruit.
The most reliable ripeness indicator is taste Use clippers to gently remove an orange Peel and taste it, watching for
- Firm yet yielding texture
- Sweet, juicy flavor
- Strong citrus aroma
If it delights your tastebuds start harvesting. If still tart or dry wait a bit longer.
Know Your Variety’s Harvest Season
The optimal harvest timeframe varies somewhat between orange types:
- Navel oranges – November to June
- Valencia oranges – March to October
- Blood oranges – December to May
- Satsumas – October to January
- Cara caras – December to May
Tracking your variety provides a harvest estimate. For early navels, taste test starting in November. But always use taste as the final decider, as weather can shift timing.
Leave Ripe Fruit on Trees
A benefit of home orchards is you don’t have to strip trees once ripening begins. Ripe oranges can cling to trees for weeks without issues. Allowing extended tree storage means you can pick perfectly ripe oranges over time rather than wrestling with a huge one-time harvest.
Do watch weather forecasts for hard freezes and pick all remaining fruit before a freeze hits. Prolonged freezing damages fruit quality.
Use Proper Picking Technique
Plucking firm ripe oranges straight off often works fine. Just be gentle with thin-skinned varieties that puncture easily. For these or high hard-to-reach fruits, use clippers to snip stems cleanly. Avoid tearing peels or harming branches.
You can also carefully shake branches or use a picking pole to dislodge oranges. Have a tarp ready below to catch falling fruit. Promptly gather drops and check for damage before storing.
Don’t Expect More Ripening
Here’s a critical tip – oranges won’t get any sweeter or more flavorful after picking. They only ripen while still on the tree. So harvesting too early means missing out on that orangey goodness. Allow full ripeness on the tree first.
Refrigerate Promptly
Freshly picked oranges hold at room temperature about a week. For longer storage, refrigerate harvested fruit immediately. Refrigeration slows moisture loss and mold growth, extending freshness to several weeks.
Enjoy Seasonal Fruit Year-Round
What if you have an orange craving when trees are bare? Oranges freeze beautifully, so consider stashing some of that bumper harvest. Peel, segment, and freeze in bags or containers. Frozen orange segments retain much flavor and nutrition for smoothies, baking, sauces, and more.
You can also try homemade orange marmalade or capture fresh flavor in jams, juices, or dried slices. With planning, you can savor orchard-fresh oranges year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know when oranges are ready to pick?
According to experts, ripe citrus looks brightly colored and feels heavy for its size yet firm when squeezed. A fully ripe orange easily slips off its stem without tugging. Gently twist and pull simultaneously to pick.
What happens if you leave oranges on the tree too long?
If left on the tree too long after ripening, oranges will eventually drop to the ground. If not promptly picked up, they’ll spoil, ferment, become sour, and rot. So it’s best to harvest once fully ripe.
Do oranges ripen more after picking?
No. Unlike some fruits, citrus does not increase in sweetness or ripen further after being picked – they only decay and dry out! Oranges reach full ripeness only while still on the tree.
How can you tell when citrus is ready to pick?
The only sure way to judge ripeness is taste. Fruit color alone is an unreliable indicator, as some colored fruits are still unripe. Taste testing harvested samples will reveal when sugars are high enough for sweet, juicy flavor.
When should you start picking oranges?
Start taste testing oranges once their typical harvest season arrives, based on variety. Pick all fruits once tasting confirms they are ripe and sweet. Leave remaining ripe oranges on the tree for an extended harvest period rather than stripping it all at once.
How long can ripe oranges stay on the tree?
Ripe oranges can cling to the tree for several weeks without issues. Allowing extended tree storage lets you pick perfectly ripe oranges over time rather than all at once. Just be sure to harvest all before any hard freezes hit.
What’s the best way to remove oranges from the tree?
The ideal method is to use clippers and gently snip oranges off at the stem. This prevents tearing the fruit peel or harming branches. You can also shake branches or use a pole picker to dislodge oranges onto a tarp below.
When to Harvest an Orange
Times for harvesting oranges vary depending upon the variety. Picking oranges may occur any time from as early as March to as late as December or January. Its helpful to know what variety of orange you have to determine the right time for picking oranges. To be more specific, these tips should help:
- Navel oranges are ready for harvest from November to June.
- Valencia oranges are ready in March into October.
- Cara Cara oranges ripen from December through May.
- Clementine oranges are ready in October as are Satsuma until December or January.
- Pineapple sweet oranges are ready for harvest from November to February.
As you can see, determining which type of orange you have gives you a hint as to when the fruit is ready. In general, most orange harvest takes place between late September and onward into early spring.