Section 812.015 considers “farm theft” as a first-degree misdemeanor. However, certain mitigating factors can increase the charges. If a person steals oranges valued at more than $300, the statute treats the crime as a third-degree felony.
Can you pick oranges off trees in Florida?
You can pretty much pick oranges all year round but depending on the time of year and the grower will depend on the variety. November through April have the widest variety. However, some orange farms in Florida are closed off-season, so make sure you check before you go.
When can you pick oranges in Florida?
When is Florida citrus in season? Florida oranges are plentiful from October through June, although the largest quantities are available from December through May. Fresh Florida grapefruit is shipped from September through June, with the height of the harvest occurring in February.
Is it legal to grow oranges in Florida?
Yes. Fruits and vegetables grown in Florida that are covered by federal marketing orders include grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, tangelos, avocados, limes and tomatoes.
Who picks Florida oranges?
In citrus-growing areas, you see lots of old converted school buses on the road; these are company buses, carrying the workers who will harvest oranges and grapefruit. And in the evening, some of those buses roll into a truck stop on a two-lane country road south of the town of LaBelle.
What county in Florida has the most orange groves?
Polk County
After a series of freezes in the 1980s, citrus growers gradually migrated southward from central and northern regions, although Polk County in the Central part of the state remains the top citrus producing county.
What happens if you leave oranges on the tree?
If you leave oranges on the tree, they will eventually drop on the ground and if not picked from the ground, they will get off, start fermenting, become sour, and eventually rot.
Where are the most orange groves in Florida?
Much of the oranges in Florida are grown in the southern two-thirds of the Florida peninsula, where there is low probability for a freeze.
What oranges are in season in Florida now?
Our season starts in early November and generally goes through April.
- Luscious Navel Oranges. Mid-Nov – Mid-Jan.
- Succulent Honeybell Tangelos. January Only.
- Flavorful Temple Oranges. February Only.
- Plump & Juicy Valencia Oranges. Late March – Early May.
- Sweet Ruby Red Grapefruit. Mid-Nov – Early May.
- Delicious Manderins.
Will oranges ripen if picked green?
Oranges do not ripen after being picked; they must remain on the tree to develop sweetness, which can take months. Sample a fruit or two to judge ripeness, as rind color may vary according to temperature, and try again 1 to 2 weeks later if oranges aren’t ripe.
What plants are not allowed in Florida?
Here are the main plants you can’t bring into Florida:
- Non-native aquatic plants or seeds.
- Citrus plants.
- Dogwood plants.
- Sugarcane.
- Noxious weeds.
- Any plant hosting boll weevils.
- Any plant hosting fruit flies.
Why are Florida oranges the best?
Florida Oranges: The oranges that grow in Florida do so in a hotter, wetter climate. As a result, these oranges are much juicier and sweeter. In fact, the majority of Florida’s oranges are used for juicing. The peels are usually thinner, and the oranges are easier to eat out of hand.
Which state has best oranges?
Florida
Florida and California are well known for high-quality oranges. Both of these States have the ideal climate for oranges and other citrus fruits to thrive.
How many acres is orange groves in Florida?
569,000 acres
In Florida, there are about 569,000 acres of citrus groves and more than 74 million citrus trees.
What fruit is Florida known for?
oranges
Florida is known for its outstanding citrus and accounts for 56 percent of the total U.S. citrus production. The earliest references of oranges date all the way back to 2200 B.C. in ancient Chinese manuscripts and documents, but Christopher Columbus is credited with bringing citrus to the New World.
What fruit is in season in Florida?
Blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, tangerines, watermelons, carambola, guava, papaya, peaches, peanuts, lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens, peppers, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, mushrooms, radishes, snap beans and squash.
Who is the largest citrus grower in Florida?
Through its presence in Florida, King Ranch is the largest juice orange producer in the United States. This operation consists of more than a dozen separate grove locations throughout the southern half of Florida and totals approximately forty thousand tree-planted acres.
Why are there less oranges in Florida?
Over the past decade, citrus greening has led to a decrease in the volume of Florida-produced oranges by over half — and a 13.8% price spike for orange juice since last year. (The disease has also been found in California citrus trees since 2012, where production of the fruit is down 14% in the past year.)
What fruit is native to Florida?
Berries in Florida include May-haw (red) and a Red-haw (red), ripening in the late summer; the huckleberry, blueberry, dewberries, blackberries, Young berry, mulberries, loganberries, strawberry, elderberry, gooseberry and downy myrtle. The haws are small seedy berries growing wild on a shrub.
Do oranges get sweeter over time?
Given a good variety, oranges generally become sweeter as they ripen. The color of the peel is an indicator of ripeness, so leave the fruit on the tree until it’s developed good color and the fruit gives with a squeeze. Cool weather also tends to sweeten the fruit.
Should I pick all the oranges off my tree?
Some varieties of oranges do well to just leave the ripe fruit on the tree for a few months longer instead of harvesting the entire tree at once. It’s a great storage method and often the fruit just gets sweeter. Go ahead and gather fruit that has dropped from the tree to the ground.