My New Orange Tree

My new home came with a vibrant orange tree along with over 60 rose bushes, olive trees and lemon trees. It isn’t a big yard but the previous owner loved being surrounded with beautiful and bountiful things. I will always be grateful for the constant roses in my home and now oranges overflowing.

Although it is December, the orange tree has produced an over abundance of oranges. So much so, the branches are hanging very low. I knew it was time to gather the oranges and make some new recipes.

But, I did not know how to properly cut off oranges from their branches. At first I thought to put them, but I realized it put pressure on the branch and then some of the peel is exposed which means you have to eat them right away.

I went to my handy Google and found expert orange pickers to learn the proper way of detaching oranges to preserve the tree.

Step One:  Look at the oranges to see if they are ripe. They should be plup and without green around the orange. Oranges do not ripen once they are picked. I took one orange off and cut it to make sure it was juicy and ready to eat. 

Step Two: Using a gardening clipper or scissors, cut above the orange and make a clip. Try to save the branches by not cutting off too much of the branch.

Step Three: Wash the oranges with water.

Step Four: Store on the counter for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.

or

Make orange juice and store in the freezer up to a month or so.

Better yet, call your friends and tell them you are making a delivery of oranges. You can attach recipe cards of your favorite recipes.