When life gives you a great lemon tree harvest…. be sure to pick them at the right time! Here are my tips for determining the perfect time to pick lemons in our Phoenix, AZ zone 10A.
Typically, lemons are ready to be harvested from late December through March, but you may still have lemons on your trees into June. However, waiting to pick lemons is not a good idea. When our summer heat kicks in, lemons can become overripe easily.
Signs your lemons are ready to be harvested
Color: Look for a bright, vibrant yellow, although some varieties may have a slight green tinge even when ripe.
Texture: Gently squeeze the lemon. If it’s firm with a slight give, it’s likely ready. Overly soft lemons may be overripe.
Ease of Picking: Ripe lemons will come off the tree easily with a gentle twist.
