Types

• Two types of navel oranges are commonly sold in grocery stores. The first is the standard navel, which peels easily. The second is the red navel, which has pink-colored flesh similar to that of a grapefruit. Both have slightly different harvesting seasons.
  
  

Time Line

• In the United States, standard navel oranges are harvested in November, December and January. Red navel oranges are harvested in November and December. Some Australian varieties of navel oranges mature very late and are harvested in April and May.
  
  

Fun Fact

• When navel oranges are picked very early, such as late October and early November, they are still green. They are then exposed to ethylene gas, which turns them orange. Home growers should wait until the fruit on their trees is orange before harvesting.