We’ve moved into November, which means colder temperatures and shorter days for our Central Valley friends who work outdoors. It also means we’ve reached the beginning of navel season, which brings sunshine to a darker time of the year in the form of sweet, seedless, easy-to-peel oranges.
Navel oranges have been a major part of California’s agricultural economy since the late 1800s. Although those oranges hit their peek between January and May, they’re usually available from November through June and are distinguished by their so-called “button” — which looks a lot like a human navel, hence the name “navel orange” — located opposite the stem. They’re some of the most popular oranges to eat in the world, with a thick peel that easily pulls away from the fruit itself.
If you’re a navel grower in the Central Valley, you’ve got months of work ahead of you, and now is the best time to stock up on supplies for the navel picking season. Our FGS supply centers have a wide harvesting inventory for you to choose from, including picking bags, picking sleeves, clippers, gloves, orchard ladders, loppers, and pruners. Whether you’re looking to clip juicy oranges from your trees, remove weak branches, or protect your fruit trees from the freezing temperatures that loom ahead, we have the right tools for you.
“We’re prepared for our growers’ supply needs,” says Jerry Cedillo, the Warehouse Supervisor at the Orange Cove Supplies & Irrigation Center in Orange Cove, California. Cedillo’s retail store caters primarily to citrus growers, and his employees are familiar with the ins and outs of the harvesting process. Cedillo encourages his customers to plan ahead, whether that means buying frost machines and tree wraps before frosty weather arrives or buying products in bulk, in order to save money on each individual item.
Not located in Orange Cove? No problem. FGS has multiple supply centers spread across the area, and all of them offer seasonal inventory. All of our supply centers offer more than the right tools for the job; we offer expertise, too. Many of our employees have been in the business for decades, and we’re here to help you make the most of the navel season.