Growing oranges can be fun and profitable. The orange and orange juice are staples in the American diet. Mandarin oranges, Florida oranges and navel oranges are all popular with consumers who buy oranges.

But, in order to become a successful orange grower, you first need to figure out the basics such as, selecting the right type of orange tree, what type of soil to plant in, and how much to irrigate. This is why oranges education and training is so important. A good orange growing education should include:

1. How to get started growing oranges;

2. Expert advice from experienced orange growers;

3. And advice from organic oranges producers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the basics of growing oranges

Before you plant your first orange tree, it is important that you have a good understanding of the basics of growing oranges. This includes how to select the right orange tree for your climate, how to irrigate the trees and how to know when the oranges are ready to be picked.

I recommend: Check out Farm Fresh for an excellent description of the various types of oranges that are grown in America. The website also discusses how to select the best oranges and how to properly store oranges after they are harvested. For simple directions on how to grow an orange tree, refer to the website, eHow. It explains the process of growing oranges in seven steps.

Get advanced oranges education and training

Expert orange producers, such as California orange growers, have decades of real world experience. This unique knowledge makes them ideal candidates from whom to learn. Fortunately, many of them share their advice through organizations that work to improve citrus crops in America.

I recommend: The California Citrus Mutual is an organization that was founded to educate and advocate for citrus growers. The group's website contains a wealth of information, including excellent advice on fighting diseases and protecting your crop. The Citrus Research Board works to improve and protect the economic viability of the orange and citrus industry.

Discover how to grow organic oranges

With a few extra steps, you can grow oranges that can be certified and sold as organic. These types of oranges are better for the environment, contain more nutrients and command a premium price at the market.

I recommend: Check out The Helpful Gardener for great tips on growing organic fruit trees. The website has good advice about preparing the soil and how to naturally keep away harmful pests. Peaceful Valley Farm Supply is also a good resource for advice on growing organic citrus trees, such as oranges.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you decide to grow oranges, check into the status of the Asian Citrus Psyllid in your area. ACP vectors a disease that attacks and kills citrus trees. The disease has been devastating in Florida. It is currently the greatest challenge facing the industry.

Oranges are one of the most consumed and used fruits on the planet. A tree fruit, they are considered a staple in many desserts. With many types of oranges from which to choose, they are versatile and can be used in savory applications as well as sweet ones. For your restaurant to be successful, you need to include oranges in many varieties on your menu.

Growing oranges is relatively easy, provided you live in the right climate, to give you the freshest mandarin oranges and navel oranges. If you don't have the space, climate or green thumb to grow oranges yourself, order directly from California orange growers or growers of Florida oranges. To find the best oranges for your kitchen, you should:

1. Peruse your recipes to determine the volume of oranges you will need for the dishes on your menu and to determine new varieties you’d like to try.

2. Find reputable orange brokers in your area for the freshest oranges at the best price.

3. Purchase oranges in bulk or wholesale to save money and help clear inventory from orange farmers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick the orange varieties you use most in your kitchen

There are many varieties of orange -- mandarin (small and sweet), Florida & California, Blood (scarlet red and popular in cocktails), Navel, Berna (perfect for cooking, virtually seedless) and Valencia, just to name a few of the 32 varieties of sweet and sour oranges. The variety of orange you choose to use in your dish should depend on the intensity of the orange flavor and sweetness you want in the dish.

I recommend: The National Gardening Association offers an extensive listing of citrus varieties and their characteristics to help you choose the best orange varieties for the dishes on your menu. Ultimate Citrus offers information on Florida citrus varieties, including oranges that are grown in their state.

Find reputable orange brokers

The best place to find the highest quality oranges is at a local farmer's market or from the nearest orange grower. Another option, especially if you want more control over the quality, size and flavors of the oranges, is to grow them yourself. This can be done by planting orange seeds or trees in a temperate to warm climate.

I recommend: Florida Natural is one of the best-known names in the orange industry with their premium orange juices available in grocery and retail stores around the world. You can order direct from their groves, too. Grandma Berrie's, a fresh fruit gift company, has a selection of the best California and Florida citrus, plus you can order berries, too, for one stop shopping.

Purchase wholesale oranges to save money

To save money on oranges purchase them wholesale. This is especially good if you need large quantities of oranges, need an assortment of varieties, or want to split the cost between two restaurants. Many wholesalers will also offer you loyalty or advance ordering discounts.

I recommend: Duda offers farm fresh fruits and vegetables including oranges directly to you. They grow, ship, market and maintain a large assortment of fresh foods for food service and retail outlets. This allows you to do all the shopping for your kitchen at one place. Pearson Ranch has wholesale California oranges and other citrus. They can also assist you in figuring out the right grade and size of oranges for your needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To get optimal juice from an orange, roll it on the counter before cutting it or zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Hold the orange cut side against your hand to capture seeds when squeezing over a dish.

Oranges are a versatile fruit: you can eat them alone, mix them with desserts or entrées, or even make them into juice. Since it has so many uses, you must familiarize yourself with the different varieties of this citrus fruit. That way, once you locate a reputable orange broker, you will know that you're purchasing the best orange variety to meet your business' needs. Educate yourself with some common orange key terms, and you'll be well on your way to juicier profits.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Mandarin

People often confuse the terms mandarin orange and tangerine, as they appear to be similar fruits. Tangerine is the most common type of mandarin orange. The small and sweet mandarin orange has a loose, thin peel that is easy to remove.

I recommend: Visit Purdue University to learn more about the mandarin orange.

Blood orange

Blood oranges normally have a scarlet red interior, and you can use them in cocktails. They are slightly less acidic than regular oranges. You can find the blood orange fresh or in juice form at local grocery stores.

I recommend: Visit GourmetSleuth.com to learn more about the varieties of blood oranges.

Navel

Best eaten from November through May with peaks during January through March, navel oranges have a button formation on the opposite side of the stem end. Many people find these to be the best for eating, because they are seedless and easy to peel.

I recommend: Check out the University of California-Riverside for information on he different varieties of navel oranges.

Berna

Berna oranges are ideal for cooking, since they are almost seedless. This medium-size fruit is moderately sweet and tends to reach maturity at the end of March.

I recommend: Check Citrus Pages to learn more about the history of the Berna oranges.

Valencia

Valencia oranges are a popular type of citrus fruit. Oftentimes called summer oranges, they peak during the months of May, June and July. These are ideal for juice.

I recommend: Visit Sunkist to learn more about Valencia oranges.

Tangelos

Tangelos are a hybrid of a mandarin orange and a grapefruit or pomelo. This type of fruit ranges in size from a standard orange up to the size of a grapefruit. The peel is easy to remove, and you can differentiate them from an orange by the nipple that forms around the end of the fruit. Tangelos taste like a tangerine and are an ideal source for juice.

I recommend: The University of Florida provides information on the tangelo, its history and varieties.