Have the experience of picking your own citrus right off thee tree by visiting one of the u-pick Florida citrus operations listed below.
Planning to make a trip to Florida during the winter this season?
Why not come back with more than a tan? Why not come back with some freshly picked oranges, that you selected off the tree yourself.
As a resident of a non citrus grower state and a big fan of u-picking, I have always wanted to go out and pick my own citrus.
Although I won't be making a trip down there this year but I was still curious to what the Sunshine state had to offer in the way of u-pick.
Unfortunately I didn't find very much. After quite a bit of searching I only came up with 5 places (see below) that I could confirm that were offering u-pick oranges or some other type of citrus this year.
The Florida citrus industry is not what it use to be. The Citrus greening disease has heavily damaged their crops. Many farmers have moved away from growing oranges and move onto other crops. With the development of peaches that can grow in climates with very few cold hours, peaches have replaced some of the citrus groves.
🍊 When Is The Season?
The season for harvesting citrus in Florida runs from November to May depending on the weather that year.
🚜 U-Pick Farm Locations
These citrus groves are a great way to experience Florida. Feel like you are heading back in time to when oranges were thriving in the Sunshine state.
Here is some information about the places that I did find online that said anything about having u-pick. If you know of any other place offering u-pick citrus, please leave a comment below.
Showcase of Citrus | 5010 US Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34714
They offer the best selection of citrus of U-pick citrus in Florida including different type of Navels, Honeybells, Valencia, Sugar Belle, Grapefruit, Honey Tangerines, tango tangerines, Pomelos, Limes, and Meyer Lemons.
Ridge Island Groves | 6000 Polk City Road, Haines City, FL 33844
They offer grove tours for $8 per person. Each person can pick 1 orange on the tour and also can pick as much as you want for $1 per pound.
Dooley Groves | 1651 Stephens Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
Known for their Honeybells and Tango Tangerines. Guides will take you how to the groves to pick. The Honeybell season lasts to March, even into April in a good year.
Hancock Groves | 31107 Blanton Rd, Dade City, FL 33523
Offering u-pick Honeybells as well as other fruits when in season (strawberries and peaches).
Vo-LaSalle Farms| 601 Johnson Lake Rd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130
Here you can pick Navels, Hamlin oranges, Temple Oranges and Pink grapefruit in season.
Have you ever picked or visited any of these places. Share your experiences in the comments below.
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