Time and experience with your fruit tree make the whole process a lot easier over the years. If you still feel a little unsure about when to pick oranges, that's okay. Otherwise, only pick the oranges with the same quality as the one you tasted to ensure that you're getting a similar ripeness! Knowing When to Pick Oranges Comes With Experience If you're looking to harvest the entire tree, test one for its flavor before taking all of the oranges. It's an easy test that tells you in an instant whether or not your oranges are right for picking. The best and most fool-proof method of orange picking is by picking the one you think is good and eating it. Not all oranges ripen at the same rate, so it's good to be a little extra picky to get the best ones. As you go through your orange tree looking for the best ones, only pick the ones that have a strong fragrance.Īvoid anything that smells moldy or sharp, as these scents indicate that the orange is not at peak ripeness. Ripe oranges have a sweet and fragrant smell to them. If it's not the right month for your orange species, chances are good that they're not ready.

Navel oranges, on the other hand, go from November into June.Įach variety has a wide span of months in which they ripen, so make sure to look up your specific variety in preparation for harvesting. For example, pineapple oranges go ripe anywhere between November and February. Wait for the Right SeasonĪs you grow your oranges, it's a good idea to know the specific time to start looking for ripeness. This means the fruits can be orange in color while still needing more time to ripen. The chlorophyll leaves the peel, changing its color from one to the other. Oranges turn from green to orange due to the change in temperature.

Some oranges, such as satsumas, keep a little green on their peel while still being ripe and juicy. While that iconic bright orange color does make it seem as though the orange should be ripe, that's not always true. Keep reading to learn all you need to know to have the best orange harvest possible! Color is Not The Only Factor

That's why we're here to help you learn when to pick oranges. With all those delicious flavors waiting for you, sometimes it's hard to wait for the right time. If you're a beginner orange farmer, it's hard to know when your specific species of orange is ripe enough and ready to eat. But did you know that orange harvests happen throughout almost the entire year? Oranges are often associated with summer, with their bright colors and sweet tangy flavors. Depending on the variety of orange you're growing, harvest season may be as early as March and as late as December.

Ripit orange