Pick your own Oranges (Florida)

They still grow oranges in Florida? Could have fooled me, I remember when the Indian River through the Central Florida area was all Orange groves.
Those are days gone by.

I don't know about pick-your-own, but a few places sell oranges 10-12 for one dollar.

I agree, it is easier to buy them. They are even cleaned by the store or market.

My tree is loaded and we can't give them away fast enough.

My neighbors in Arizona fear seeing me.

I have three lemon trees and an unbelievable harvest this year. People in other parts of the US are paying $$$ for lemons, and I can't give these darned things away!

We also have been told if we let the fruit drop or rot it will bring in "Roof" rats. So charity dinning rooms here we come.

My Parents live in Ft Myers and have Tangelo, Lemons and Ruby Red Grapefruit trees. Most do rot on the ground. I'm sure there are a lot of U pick places left, Although as I said the large sprawling Orchards are gone to either freeze and never replanted or growth of people to the region.

Nothing looks better than an Orange from the grocery store, U-picks don't look as good because they haven't been washed, polished and waxed by a processing plant. The taste is wonderful picked right off the tree at the time of ripeness. all the above hold true for all citrus.

Thanks, for your thoughts. Let me try by being more specific, any orchard (1 - 2 miles) from highway 75 between Tampa and Chatoonga ? Anybody seen any while driving on that highway ?

Thanks.

Thanks, for your thoughts. Let me try by being more specific, any orchard (1 - 2 miles) from highway 75 between Tampa and Chatoonga ? Anybody seen any while driving on that highway ? I want the kids to see and pick some oranges from tree.

Thanks.

There are no POIs for that that I know if. In fact, Pick Your Own places are VERY rare any more. And so are groves in central and north Florida. I only know of two places that advertise PYO; one on Hwy 441 near Apopka and Grays Orange Barn in Lady Lake. The USDA and the State of Florida requires that all oranges (and all other citrus fruit) going out of state be processed and cleaned in a registered packing house in an effort control the spread of citrus cancer and other diseases. Also most groves are now posted and it's illegal to enter them for the same reason. I expect
that's the biggest reason that PYO are now mostly history.

I too have oranges, Pershing limes, Key limes, Grapefruit, bananas, and pineapples in my yard. But it's those darned mangos! The squirrels and racoons reek havoc with them. So how 'bout PYO Mangos!

http://tampabay.com/news/business/agriculture/article986046....

Here is a really good website for finding pick your own farms in Florida:

http://florida.farmvisit.com/

Below are some places in Florida where you can pick your own oranges:

Lake Apshawa Farm & Nursery
Phone: (352) 394-3313
352-394-8347 alternate phone.
18030 W. Apshawa Road
Clermont, FL

Hickory Tree Grove
Phone: 386-985-1655
Website: www.flnaturalcitrus.com
4510 Audubon Ave
Deleon Springs, FL

Harbison Cattle & Produce Farm
Phone: 352-401-0888
4696 E Hwy 329
Anthony, FL

As a rule you should always call before going to a pick your own farm so that you can determine if they are open and what the crops are doing.