The manager at the little RV park we stayed at on Friday told us about a U-pick orange grove just down the road where we could pick a 5-gallon bucket of oranges for just a few dollars.
They were opening for the season on Saturday, and we have never picked oranges, so we decided to give it a try before we left.
We were definitely not the only ones with this plan, as there were plenty of people around when we drove down to the end of the narrow gravel road.
There was bad news, though . . . we’re still hearing about the effects of last winter’s early bloom and late freeze. No apples or cherries in Michigan, and now no navel oranges in Citra, FL. They did have juice oranges (not seedless), and a few clementine-like tangerines, and grapefruit.
So, just for the experience, we decided to pick a few juice oranges and grapefruit.
The grove owner showed us which trees to pick from, and how to pick the grapefruit without getting stuck by thorns.
Nicolas did most of the picking, since he was the only one tall enough to reach!
Bryce was contemplating which oranges looked the best, and then directed Nicolas where to pick.
We ended up with a half bucket of oranges and grapefruit, and a half bucket of tangerines - - a LOT of fruit - - all for $8!! These will last us awhile, but we’re still hoping to be able to get some navel oranges when we get further south.
