When Is the Florida Orange Harvest?

The Florida Orange harvest season lasts 9 months long.

Florida is known for its oranges. According to the Florida Department of Citrus, over 80 percent of America's orange juice comes from Florida-grown oranges. Florida growers produce a wide variety of oranges that ripen at different times of the year; so, harvesting is ongoing for nine months out of the year. Hot July, August and September do not yield any orange harvests.

Early Season Oranges

Early season oranges are harvested from October to January, before the winter freezes. According to the Sarasota County Extension the Hamlin and the Parson Brown oranges are the primary early season oranges. The Hamlin is a medium-sized juicy orange that yields a sweet but pale colored juice. Because of its seediness, the Parson Brown is less desirable. Ambersweet and Navel oranges are also early season oranges and grown as eating oranges rather than for juice.

Mid-Season Oranges

Mid-season oranges are harvested from December to March. The Pineapple and Sunstar oranges begin ripening in December. The Pineapple orange is less cold tolerant and must be harvested quickly before a winter freeze. The Sunstar has a bright orange color and rich flavor. The Midsweet and Gardner oranges are ready for harvesting around the first of February.

Late Season Oranges

The Valencia orange is the premiere late season crop in Florida and accounts for 50 percent of Florida's orange crop. Valencias are usually seedless, produce an excellent quality and quantity of juice and are harvested from March to June.

References

• University of Florida, IFAS Extension: Your Florida Dooryard Citrus Guide, Appendix A
• University of Florida, Sarasota County Extension: Florida Food Fare, Early Oranges
• PickYourOwn.org: Florida Citrus Harvest Calendar
• Florida Department of Citrus, About Juice: All About Citrus