The mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) is a small citrus tree that resembles an orange. The mandarin orange is not one citrus fruit but many. Some mandarin oranges are called mandarins, some are called tangerines, and some are called clementines. Most mandarins are half the size of an orange or smaller, but some are just as large. Most…
Citrus Fruits
Tangelos for Backyard Gardens
Tangelos are easy to grow in home and backyard gardens. Tangelos are hybrids of mandarins and grapefruits. The name tangelo is short for “tang” tangerine (a popular name for mandarins) and “elo” from pummelo (once the name used for grapefruits, but in actuality a separate fruit). Tangelo fruits can vary in color and size but…
Tangors For Backyard Gardens
Tangors are sour-sweet and full-flavored citrus. They are hybrids between mandarins and sweet oranges. Tangors are sometimes mislabeled as oranges. Tangors have bright orange rinds and pulps. Though their rinds are thick, tangors are easy to peel. The name “tangor” is a formation from the “tang” of tangerine (a name often applied to deep orange-colored…
Kumquats for Backyard Gardens
Kumquats can be eaten fresh out of hand whole—rind and all. The skin of the kumquat is sweeter than the flesh. Roll a kumquat between your fingers to mingle the sweet skin and tart flesh, then eat the whole fruit or slice it and add it to fruit salads. Kumquats can be used to make…
Grapefruits for Backyard Gardens
Tangy grapefruit can be eaten raw—by the half or peeled and sectioned, it can be added to green and fruit salads and compotes, and it can be juiced. Grapefruits require heat to develop their sweet-tart flavor. A grapefruit that feels heavy for its size is ripe and ready to eat or juice. Grapefruits are best…
Limes for Backyard Gardens
Limes are too tart to eat on their own, but like lemons, they add a refreshing tang to both sweet and savory dishes. Limes are grown mostly in Florida, California, along the Gulf Coast, and in Mexico. Limes are the least cold-tolerant of citrus fruits. They are best grown where summers are hot and winter…
Lemons for Backyard Gardens
Lemons are too tart to eat on their own, but they are probably used more than any other fruit. Lemons are the defining flavor in many desserts, and they add zest to just about all savory dishes. Lemons grow where other citrus trees won’t. They have a lower heat requirement than sweet oranges and grapefruits….
Oranges for Backyard Gardens
Oranges can be divided into three basic groups—sweet oranges, blood oranges, and sour oranges. Sweet oranges can be divided into two subgroups—navel oranges and common oranges. Navel oranges and common oranges are the most commonly grown oranges both in home gardens and commercially. Navel oranges are mostly peeled and eaten fresh out of hand. Common…
How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Citrus
Citrus—oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and kumquats—thrive outdoors where summers are warm and winters are mild. But citrus is not only for warm climates. Citrus fruits can be grown in cool regions in pots or planters that can sit outdoors in warm weather and be moved indoors in cool weather. Citrus fruits take months to ripen—six…
Grapefruit Toppings
Grapefruit can be sweet and a tad bitter or loud and sour. Grapefruit is well matched with avocado, Campari, Champagne, crab, fresh ginger, honey, lemon, lime, fresh mint, pomegranate, and brown or white sugar. To simply eat grapefruit out of hand with a spoon try one of the following toppings for each grapefruit half: …
