Seasonal produce
When are Meyer lemons in season?
Meyer lemons are a winter citrus story in the places that grow them. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says the mellow Meyer ripens from November to March in Florida. At UC Riverside’s Citrus Variety Collection, the Improved Meyer crop is distributed somewhat throughout the year but mainly in winter.
Meyer season at a glance
Florida (UF/IFAS): November to March. Riverside, California (UC Riverside Citrus Variety Collection): mainly in winter, with some fruit through the year. These are regional windows, not a nationwide season.
California coast note
UC ANR’s Coastal Gardener (Humboldt / Del Norte Master Gardener Help Desk, March 30, 2024) says Meyer lemon can bear fruit all year on the coast when conditions favor it, with blooms and fruit in varying stages, and that the heaviest harvest is usually late winter and spring.
What makes a Meyer different
UC Riverside: Meyer lemon is believed to be a hybrid of lemon and orange parentage; Frank Meyer brought the tree from Beijing to the U.S. in 1908. UC ANR Coastal Gardener: it is a cross between an orange and a lemon and is known for its milder taste. The flesh is light orange-yellow, juicy and acidic (UCR).
How to tell a ripe Meyer
UC ANR Coastal Gardener: ready when deep yellow or orange, firm with a slight give, and fragrant. Cold weather speeds the color change, and color does not affect sweetness. Fruit is usable past dark green but more acidic if picked early; Meyers don’t ripen further once picked. Best storage is on the tree; picked fruit keeps about 4 to 6 weeks refrigerated.
Buying them
Availability varies by store and region. California Citrus Mutual, a grower group, posted on October 9, 2026 that Meyer lemons were among the California citrus “shipping now.” For a backyard tree, go by the Florida and California windows above.
What to cook
Pair with other winter citrus already on the site: grapefruit, clementines, and pomegranates. The November produce guide and the December produce guide list citrus where it grows.
Recipes and related guides
When is grapefruit in season? · When are clementines in season? · When are pomegranates in season? · November produce guide · Produce checklist
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