Struble Ranch

Our Orchard

Our first mandarins to ripen in November, are the Owari Satsuma variety. They are sweet, seedless, easy to peel, high in vitamin C and synephrine, a naturally occurring decongestant. They have a sweet, tangy citrus scent and are always a favorite at Thanksgiving.

Around Christmas time, we begin the harvest of our second variety of mandarins, the Clementines, also known as "little cuties". They are known for their beautiful red-orange color, glossy tight skins and sweet taste. Clementines are reminiscent of the old fashioned tangerine in flavor. Both mandarin varieties are a delicious and healthy snack that children and adults love.

Near the end of our citrus season, in the New Year, the harvest begins for the Navel Oranges and Lisbon Lemons. This variety of lemons has a strong yet tangy lemon flavor and makes terrific lemonade and lemon meringue pies. Navels and lemons can remain on the trees for many months as they continue to ripen, become sweeter and more flavorful; so we only harvest the Navels and lemons as needed up till March or April, weather permitting.

Well that rounds out our farming harvest, and we hope to share some of these wonderful varieties of mountain grown fruit with you and your family.