4 Florida Citrus Groves Where You Fill A Bag Straight From The Tree

The first orange I ever twisted off a branch myself squirted my shirt and made me laugh out loud, and I have been chasing that feeling ever since. Florida grows citrus by the truckload, but a handful of small family groves hand you a bag and let you do the harvesting yourself.

Picking your own means you get fruit at its ripest, you learn what a good peel actually feels like, and the drive out there usually comes with a farm store full of juice, jam, and pie. Bring sunscreen, wear closed shoes, and call ahead, because what is ready to pick changes week to week.

1. Showcase of Citrus, Clermont, FL

Sand roads, sun-warmed rows, and a country store that looks like it has been selling jam since before air conditioning. The grounds outside Clermont stretch far enough that walking the rows feels like an outing rather than an errand.

Citrus is the main event, and what is ripe shifts through the season, so a quick call before loading the car saves disappointment. Oranges and lemons are common targets, and picking your own is the whole point.

There is more happening here than fruit. Amphibious vehicle tours roll out across the property to show off the trees and the wildlife living among them, which turns a picking stop into a half-day plan.

Kids get a playground and a petting zoo, and birthday groups fit in easily.

Save appetite space for the country store, where the orange juice slushy and the creamsicle both come from real Florida fruit. Shelves hold locally made jellies, hot sauces, salsas, BBQ sauces, and dressings.

Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds, so a Monday visit means quieter rows. Parking is free, restrooms are on site, and an appointment is required.

Find it at 15051 Frank Jarrell Rd, Clermont.

2. Schacht Groves, Vero Beach, FL

Indian River County has been growing oranges for generations, and this small farm on the Vero Beach side of the coast keeps that tradition working rather than framed on a wall. The grove is compact enough that filling a bag does not turn into a hike.

Oranges are the fruit you pick here, pulled straight off the branch with a twist. If the heat wins or the schedule is tight, the gift shop handles the rest, stocked with fresh and frozen citrus ready to take home or ship.

That shop deserves its own mention. Alongside the fruit you will find local produce, meats, honey, pies, muffins, bread, juices, ice cream, and gift items, which makes it a solid grocery detour even on a day when nobody feels like picking.

Hours run midday through late afternoon on a limited set of days, and the operation closes early in the week, so timing matters more here than at bigger grove attractions. Checking before driving out is smart, especially outside the cooler months when Florida citrus peaks.

Plan for a quick stop rather than an afternoon. The address is 6100 12th St, Vero Beach.

3. Lemon Picking at Camellia Groves in Winter Haven

Lemons, not oranges, are the reason to point the car toward Winter Haven. The family behind this grove grows theirs pesticide-free, and the U-pick season turns an ordinary citrus run into something a little unusual for Florida.

Pink lemons show up here too, streaked inside like tiny watermelons and tart enough to wake up a pitcher of lemonade. Someone from the family is usually walking the rows, explaining how to judge color, weight, and give before you pull.

U-Pick days operate as small events rather than open-gate afternoons. Local vendors set up, food trucks park nearby, and the whole thing runs at a relaxed pace with grove views in every direction.

Dogs are allowed, there is on-site parking, and a gender-neutral restroom is available.

Location is part of the appeal. Sitting between Orlando and Tampa along State Road 540, it slots neatly into a Polk County day trip without much added mileage from either metro.

Because picking is seasonal and event-based, dates get announced ahead of time and fill in. Confirm before driving out, then head to 839 State Rd 540 W, Winter Haven.

4. Grahams U Pick Peaches, Umatilla, FL

Peaches put this Lake County farm on the map, but December is when the orange trees take over. The name stays the same year-round while the harvest keeps rotating, which is exactly why regulars keep the place on a permanent rotation.

Picture a spring visit: peach varieties spread across the property, blackberries ripening along the rows, sunflowers standing tall enough to disappear into. Then the calendar flips, the stone fruit finishes, and U-pick oranges open for the winter season.

What makes it work is the guidance. Ask which variety is sweetest or where the best picking is happening that morning, and you get a straight answer from people who grew the fruit, including which trees to hit first and which to leave another week.

Umatilla sits north of Mount Dora in the rolling part of central Florida, an easy drive from Orlando and a pleasant one on a cool morning. Parking is free and on site, so hauling a full bag back to the car is no trouble.

Opening dates shift with the weather, so check ahead before you go. The farm is at 14803 Lake Yale Rd, Umatilla.