How to Harvest Orange Trees
Consumed as a tasty snack or a delicious juice, oranges are also famed for their richness in vitamin C, vitamin A and calcium. Both the health and taste factors have made oranges some of the most popular fruits in the world. Whether your orange trees grow in the Golden State of California, the Sunshine State of Florida or any warm climate in between, harvest time is a treat.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Get your season right. While Valencia oranges can be harvested year-round, navel oranges must be harvested in either winter or spring.
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2
Wait for the oranges to turn orange. Green oranges will not ripen after they have been picked.
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3
Test the taste of one or two of your oranges. Although color is often a reliable indicator of ripeness, this is not always the case since there can be seasonal variations in color. The best way to check the ripeness of your orange tree is to taste the fruit itself.
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4
Remove the fruit by twisting it gently off the tree. Be careful not to harm the branches or twigs.
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5
Keep your oranges at room temperature. Enjoy the harvest within the following two weeks while the fruit remains at its best.
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1
Tips & Warnings
After harvesting, prune the orange tree by trimming the light-colored branches around the middle and top of the tree to stimulate more fruit growth for the next harvest.
