Mango trees are a significant tropical fruit crop in Florida, but the timing of their harvest is highly variable due to the state’s unique subtropical climate. Successfully bearing fruit is a complex seasonal process that begins months before the first mango is picked. The annual mango cycle is fundamentally tied to environmental cues, meaning the exact time a tree yields fruit can change yearly. Understanding this seasonality requires looking closely at the typical harvest months and the crucial climate factors that set the process in motion.
The Standard Florida Mango Season
The typical window for harvesting mangoes from established trees in Florida generally runs from late May or early June through September. This five-month period provides an opportunity for growers and home gardeners to enjoy the fruit. The peak of the mango season occurs during the height of the summer, specifically in July and August, when the largest volume of fruit from multiple varieties becomes available.
The period from flowering to fruit maturity typically takes 100 to 150 days, setting the foundation for the summer harvest. While commercial operations often target the early part of the season, home growers can extend their harvest by leaving fruit on the tree to ripen fully. Some late-ripening mangoes can still be found in September and occasionally into October.
The Critical Role of Winter Bloom
The entire summer harvest is determined by the development of flower panicles, which occurs in the preceding winter months. Mango trees require a period of physiological stress to transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. In Florida, this stress is usually triggered by a combination of cool, but not freezing, temperatures and dry conditions.
Mango trees in South Florida generally begin to bloom between late November and March. Dry weather preceding and during this period stimulates the formation of the flower panicles, which are clusters of tiny flowers. If the winter is too warm or too wet, the trees may fail to enter the necessary dormancy, resulting in poor or delayed flowering.
Erratic weather patterns, such as an exceptionally warm winter, can significantly push back the entire season or cause multiple, less productive bloom cycles. This poor initial bloom can reduce the number of fruit-setting female flowers and ultimately limit the crop size months later. The fruit that sets requires three to five months to reach maturity, directly linking the winter weather to the summer harvest.
How Different Mango Varieties Affect Harvest
Even within the standard May to September window, the specific variety of mango dictates exactly when a tree will bear fruit. Mango cultivars are broadly categorized into early, mid-season, and late bearers based on their genetic ripening characteristics. A home grower must know their specific variety to accurately predict the harvest month.
For example, early-season varieties like ‘Florigon’ and ‘Rosigold’ may be ready for harvest as early as March or April, kicking off the season. Mid-season mangoes, such as the widely grown ‘Haden’ and ‘Kent’, typically ripen during the peak months of June and July.
To extend the enjoyment of fresh fruit, growers often choose late-season varieties like ‘Keitt’ or ‘Neelum’, which mature in August and September. These genetic differences allow for a sequential ripening schedule, ensuring that an individual tree’s contribution to the harvest is governed by its cultivar.