When do you pick oranges in Arizona? It depends on the variety. According to University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, early navels such as 'Fukumoto' are ready by the end of October or early November. The Valley's most popular navel, 'Parent Washington,' starts around Thanksgiving or Dec. 1. Valencias don't mature until about March.
How do you know it's ready? Taste one. Citrus won't ripen after it's picked, but it keeps sweetening on the tree. Extension advises trusting flavor over peel color. In 85250 that makes late October the moment to start sampling the early trees.
Data note: Harvest timing comes from University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publications AZ1001 (Low Desert Citrus Varieties) and AZ1850 (Oranges for Southern Arizona). Fertilizer timing comes from AZ1671 (Citrus Fertilizer Chart). Local history comes from the City of Scottsdale's 75 Years of Scottsdale History timeline.
Citrus Is Part of 85250's Story
Scottsdale started as citrus country. The City's history timeline notes that homesteaders bought land along the Arizona Canal to farm, "especially growing citrus." In 1888, Winfield and Helen Scott bought 640 acres in the area now bounded by Indian School, Scottsdale, Chaparral and Hayden roads. Its northeast corner, Chaparral and Hayden, is where Chaparral Park sits today. Many 85250 yards still have a mature orange or grapefruit tree, and plenty of buyers ask about them on tours.
Harvest Calendar for Low-Desert Oranges
Navel Oranges
- 'Fukumoto' and 'Beck Early': by the end of October or early November; peel may not be fully orange yet
- 'Parent Washington': beginning around Thanksgiving or Dec. 1
- 'Lane Late' and other late navels: beginning in January
Valencia and Other Oranges
- 'Marrs' (an early sweet orange): best when fully ripe in November
- Valencia: matures about March; prized for juice
- Navel juice is best fresh. Extension notes navels contain limonin, which turns stored juice bitter
Other Backyard Citrus Timing (UA Extension)
- Mandarins: 'Algerian' (Clementine) ripens in November; 'Dancy' from December
- Tangelos: 'Orlando' ripens in November; 'Minneola' matures beginning in January
- Grapefruit: 'Marsh' is ready in December, but fruit is typically best March through May after acid levels drop; 'Rio Red' matures from December and can stay on the tree as late as July
- Limes: the 'Tahiti' lime ripens in June
A note for new owners: Extension says the 'Meyer' lemon is illegal in Arizona because it can harbor Citrus Tristeza Virus. If you're planting, choose a variety sold legally here.
Picking and Storing Tips
- Taste before you harvest the tree. Flavor is the test, not color.
- Leave fruit on the tree to store it. Pick as you need it, within each variety's season.
- Clip mandarins rather than pulling them; Extension notes pulling can tear the peel at the stem ("plugging").
- Watch for frost. Extension ranks cold hardiness from most to least: kumquats and mandarins, grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime. See our frost protection guide for covering trees on cold nights.
Feeding Schedule: Split It Into Thirds
The University of Arizona citrus fertilizer chart sizes the yearly amount by tree size and the nitrogen percentage on your bag, then splits it:
Oranges, Tangerines and Grapefruit
- ⅓ in January-February
- ⅓ in March-April
- ⅓ in May-June
- Mature grapefruit need about 50% less than the chart amount
Lemons and Limes
- ⅓ in January-February
- ⅓ in March-April
- ⅓ in August-September
Planning pruning too? Our tree trimming guide covers the right season for citrus.
Citrus and Your Home Sale
- Buyers: a mature, healthy tree is a real perk. Ask the seller for the variety so you know when to harvest.
- Sellers: a tree heavy with fruit photographs beautifully. If you're listing this winter, keep fallen fruit cleared and note the variety in your listing remarks.
- Irrigation: citrus usually runs on its own drip or flood schedule, so confirm how the tree is watered during your inspection.
“One of my favorite parts of a Chaparral Park winter is seeing citrus trees loaded with fruit along the walk to the greenbelt. When I list a home with a mature tree, I always find out the variety, because buyers want to know whether they'll be juicing in March or picking navels by Thanksgiving.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
FAQ: Picking Oranges in Arizona
When are navel oranges ready to pick in Arizona?
Early navels by late October or early November, 'Parent Washington' from Thanksgiving, late navels from January.
When do you pick Valencia oranges in Arizona?
About March, per UA Extension.
How do I know if my oranges are ready to pick?
Taste one. Citrus sweetens on the tree but doesn't ripen after picking.
When should I fertilize citrus trees in Arizona?
In thirds: Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr and May-Jun for oranges and grapefruit; Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr and Aug-Sep for lemons and limes.
Looking for an 85250 Home With a Mature Citrus Tree?
Tell me what you want in a yard, and I'll flag homes with established citrus, shade trees and the outdoor space to enjoy them.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Chaparral Park Resident & 85250 Real Estate Expert
Find My 85250 Home · Call or text 602-885-7752
Sources: UA Extension AZ1001: Low Desert Citrus Varieties (PDF) · UA Extension AZ1850: Oranges for Southern Arizona (PDF) · UA Extension AZ1671: Citrus Fertilizer Chart (PDF) · City of Scottsdale: 75 Years of Scottsdale History
Disclaimer: General gardening information; conditions vary by yard and season. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
