When To Pick Mangoes Off The Tree In Florida1

Knowing when to pick mangoes off the tree in Florida1 is the secret to enjoying their best flavor. Get the timing right, and you’ll taste pure tropical sunshine; pick too early or too late, and you’ll miss out. This guide will walk you through the simple signs that tell you a Florida mango is perfectly ready for harvest.

Florida’s mango season typically runs from late May through September, with peak times varying by variety. The most reliable method for determining ripeness isn’t by calendar date, but by observing the fruit itself. Trees often give you clear signals, you just need to know what to look for.

The Color Change is Your First Clue

For most mango varieties, a shift in skin color is a primary indicator. Don’t expect all green mangoes to turn a bright red or yellow, though. The change is often more subtle.

Look for a Blush: A green mango will develop hints of yellow, orange, red, or pink, especially at the stem end and on the side that faced the sun.
Know Your Variety: A ‘Keitt’ mango stays mostly green even when ripe, while a ‘Tommy Atkins’ shows a deep red blush. A ‘Haden’ turns a beautiful yellow-red.
Check the Background Color: The overall base color loses its deep green intensity, fading to a lighter green or yellow.

The “Sniff Test” Near the Stem

A ripe mango will emit a sweet, fruity aroma at its stem end. Gently lift the fruit and give the stem area a good sniff. If you smell a rich, sweet scent reminiscent of peaches and citrus, it’s a strong sign of ripeness. If there’s no fragrance at all, it likely needs more time on the tree.

The Feel of the Fruit: Gentle Pressure

How the mango feels in your hand is crucial. It should yield slightly to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe peach or avocado.

Avoid Hardness: A rock-hard mango is not ready.
Avoid Mushiness: If it feels very soft or has wrinkled skin, it is overripe and may have internal issues.
Feel for Plumpness: The fruit should feel full and heavy for its size, indicating juicy flesh inside.

The “Shoulder” Test and Ease of Picking

Look at the shape of the mango where it meets the stem. This area is called the shoulder. On a ripe mango, the shoulders will often fill out and become more rounded. Most importantly, a truly ready mango will detach from the stem with a very gentle, upward twist. If you have to tug hard or yank it, the fruit is telling you it’s not ready yet. Leaving a short stem attached is fine and can help prevent sap bleed.

What About Sap?

Some mango varieties, like ‘Carrie’ or ‘Julie,’ can exude a lot of sticky sap when picked. To minimize this, you can snip the stem about an inch from the fruit with pruning shears. Washing the sap off the skin immediately after harvest helps prevent sap burn, which causes black spots on the peel.

Why Not Just Let Them Ripen Fully On the Tree?

While tree-ripened fruit is ideal, Florida’s humidity and pests make it tricky. If left too long, fruit flies, fungi, and squirrels will beat you to the harvest. Picking at the mature-green stage (showing color change and slight give) and ripening indoors for a few days is a smart strategy. This protects the fruit and often improves flavor texture.

A Step-by-Step Harvest Guide

Follow these simple steps for a successful mango pick.

Gather Tools: Use a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or a fruit-picking pole with a basket for high branches. Wear old clothes due to potential sap.
Inspect and Test: Choose a mango showing color change. Gently squeeze it and check for the sweet smell at the stem.
Pick Properly: For easy-to-reach fruit, hold the mango in your hand and give it an upward twist. If it doesn’t release easily, use shears to cut the stem. For high fruit, use the picking pole to snip the stem and catch the fruit.
Handle with Care: Place mangoes gently into a wide basket or bucket. Don’t pile them too high to avoid bruising the bottom fruit.
Clean Sap Promptly: If sap gets on the skin, rinse or wipe the fruit with a damp cloth right away. Let them air dry.

Post-Harvest Ripening and Storage

Your job isn’t over after picking! Proper aftercare ensures perfect eating.

To Ripen: Place firm-picked mangoes in a paper bag on your counter for 2-5 days. Adding a banana or apple to the bag speeds up the process with natural ethylene gas.
Check Daily: Once they yield to gentle pressure and smell fragrant, they’re ready to eat.
To Store: Eat ripe mangoes immediately, or refrigerate them for 2-3 days to slow further ripening. For longer storage, peel, slice, and freeze the flesh in airtight bags.

Common Florida Mango Varieties and Their Ripening Signs

Here’s a quick reference for some popular Florida mangoes.

Tommy Atkins: Red blush over green/yellow background. Mild scent. Fibrous flesh but good for slicing.
Haden: Bright red with yellow background. Strong sweet smell. Rich, classic mango flavor.
Keitt: Stays mostly green even when ripe. Relies heavily on the gentle-squeeze test. Late season variety.
Kent: Dark green with a dark red blush. Very little fiber and a sweet, rich taste. Great for eating fresh.
Carrie: Small, often kidney-shaped. Turns yellow-green. Intensely sweet and spicy aroma when ripe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I pick a mango too early?

It may still ripen off the tree but will often be less sweet and more fibrous. It might also shrivel instead of becoming juicy. Try the paper bag method, but temper your expectations.

How can I tell if a mango is bad?

Signs include excessive softness or mushiness, deep wrinkles, black sunken spots, or a sour/fermented smell. If it smells off, it’s best to compost it.

Do mangoes ripen after being refrigerated?

No, cold temperatures halt the ripening process. Only refrigerate mangoes after they have reached your desired ripeness.

What time of day is best for picking mangoes?

Morning is ideal, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day. The fruit is firmer and sap flow can be less intense.

Why are my ripe mangoes tasting a bit spicy or turpentine-like?

Some older varieties or seedlings can have that flavor profile, often due to genetics or growing conditions. Choosing named grafted varieties known for sweet flavor, like ‘Kent’ or ‘Cogshall,’ avoids this issue.

Mastering the art of picking mangoes takes a little practice, but paying attention to color, smell, and feel will guide you. Remember, its better to pick a little early and ripen indoors than to lose your crop to critters. With these tips, you’ll be enjoying perfectly ripe, homegrown Florida mangoes all season long.