The time for picking lemons off the tree is a critical factor in the quality of the lemons. If you pick too early, the lemons won’t have had the time to ripen and will be sour and acidic, while if you leave them on the tree too long they can become soft and mushy. To determine when to harvest the lemons, you must understand the stages of ripening and the harbingers of proper lemon ripeness.
Early lemon ripening begins with verbena, a slight discoloration or tan color that appears in patches on the lemon skin. Next is anneal, where two-tone coloring starts to develop and the lemon shrinks in size giving it a wrinkled look. It’s ready for harvesting when it has fully developed that two-tone coloring and there is a slight yellowing in the patch discoloration. Additionally, if you gently push your thumb on the lemon it should give a bit. Lemons can stay on the tree a while after they’ve achieved full ripeness, but you should pick them before that point when they start to become mushy and soft.
The ideal time to harvest is around the start of anneal. This is when the two-tone coloring first appears and the lemon has started to shrink in size. At this point the lemon is ready for harvesting and you can expect a good quality in flavor and texture. Remember to look for the patch discoloration and the slight yellowing in addition to the two-tone coloring as indicators that the lemon is ripe and ready for harvesting.
In general, harvest your lemons when they are firm and have a good color to them. Keep in mind that the ripeness of the lemon does not affect the flavor, but it does affect the texture and the shelf life of the lemon. If the lemon is left on the tree too long it can become soft and mushy, or it can start to crack and spoil quickly.
Once you’ve determined when to pick your lemons, make sure to clip the stems at an angle rather than pulling the lemons directly off the tree. Clipping the stems will prevent any damage to the tree and preserve the life of the fruit. Lastly, pick boxes that are slightly larger than the lemons because this will help to ensure the lemons do not get squished while they are being transported.
Harvesting Techniques and Tools
Harvesting lemons is a delicate process and requires skill and the use of proper tools. Pruning shears are a must for reaching into branches and properly snipping stems without damaging the lemons or the tree. Ensure the shears are sharp to prevent damage to the lemon and the tree. Additionally, it’s important to use the right picking containers for harvesting and transporting the lemons. Harvesting containers should be large, padded and have vents for air to assist in the ripening process and to help protect the lemons from any damage.
Once the lemons have been harvested, place them in the picking containers with care as they are fragile and can easily be damaged. If you’re transporting the lemons in a car, make sure to secure them so they don’t roll around or become squished during the journey. You should also store the lemons in a cool and dry place to prevent premature rotting.
Finally, it’s important to take the quality of the lemons into consideration when harvesting the fruit. Use visual cues, such as two-tone coloring, patch discoloration and slight yellowing to determine when the lemons are ripe and ready to harvest. Check for softness by gently pushing your thumb on the lemon and make sure there is some give. If the lemon is too soft, it is best to leave it on the tree and wait for it to ripen further.
Safe and Efficient Picking
It is important to consider both the safety and efficiency of harvesting when deciding when to pull lemons off the tree. Picking your lemons too early or too late can greatly impact the quality and shelf-life of the fruit. Being mindful of the ripening process and the visual cues of proper ripeness is key to picking quality lemons. Additionally, having the right tools and technique to harvest your lemons safely and efficiently is essential.
Harvesting with pruning shears requires a certain degree of skill, so take your time and be mindful of your technique to avoid any damage to the tree or the lemon. Secure the lemons in padded and ventilated containers to ensure none of them become squished or spoiled. Also, be sure to store the lemons in a cool and dry place and check them periodically to ensure they are still fresh. They may go bad quickly if they are left in the wrong environment.
Pay close attention to the ripening cues to make sure the lemons have enough time to ripen before being harvested. Once the lemons have achieved their two-tone coloring and patch discoloration beginning with anneal, you should start harvesting them. If you leave them on the tree much past this point their softness, texture and taste will be adversely affected.
Tips for Maximum Yield
In order to harvest the highest quality lemons and maximize the yield, there are some tips and tricks you should follow. To begin with, you should start with clipping the stems at an angle as this will prevent any damage to the lemon or the tree. Additionally, make good use of pruning shears while harvesting. Pruning shears are best for cutting stems as they are designed specifically for this purpose. When transporting the lemons, make sure to use a container that is slightly larger than the lemons and keep it in a cool and dry place.
When harvesting, pay attention to the color of the lemon and its firmness. Lemons that have an even two-tone color and a bit of give when you press on them are usually ready to harvest. Squished or overly soft lemons are past their peak and should be left on the tree or discarded. Additionally, look for patch discoloration and yellowing of the lemon skin as these are indications of the lemons ripeness.
Finally, lemons can be harvested any time during the year, but the best time to harvest them is winter and spring. During this time the weather is much cooler and the lemons can ripen slowly and with more flavor than in summer. Additionally, winter and spring are usually the months when you can expect maximum yields.
Possible Risks of Early Picking
One of the biggest risks of picking your lemons too early is a decrease in the overall quality of the fruit. As stated before, if the lemon has not had enough time to ripen it will remain acidic and unpleasant tasting. Additionally, the texture of the lemon can become hard and crunchy. Other risks include pests and diseases if the lemon is left unpicked for too long. Overly ripe lemons can attract pests like ants and fruit flies, resulting in more damage to the tree and to the lemon. Finally, the unripe lemons can fall off the tree prematurely and rot, causing damage to the tree and a decrease in yields.
Another risk of early picking is a potential decrease in shelf life. Lemons that are picked before their peak ripeness usually do not last as long and can spoil quickly. To prevent this, make sure the lemons are fully ripe before harvesting and store them in a cool and dry place. Additionally, make sure they are not squished or damaged when they are being transported as these things can greatly reduce the shelf life of the lemon.
When it comes to harvesting lemons there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different types of lemons have different ripening times and variability between the lemons play a role in when to pick them. As a result, it is important to pay attention to the visual cues of ripeness and to carefully monitor the lemon’s progress to make sure it is ripe before it is harvested. Going too early or too late can greatly reduce the quality and shelf life of the lemon, so it is best to pick them at exactly the right time to get maximum benefit.
