Typically one-third of the orchard is picked in each of three harvests over the growing season. Lemons are
picked and graded by size and normally harvested from mid October through March. Lemons are hand picked
and put into field bins that hold 900 pounds (24 carton equivalent) of fruit. The lemons are hauled from the
field to a packinghouse where they are washed, graded, sized, and packed. Picking, hauling, packing, and
marketing costs from the field to the packinghouse are paid by the grower. Current rates for theses services
vary; picking and hauling costs are $3.18 per carton and the packinghouse cost are $4.89 per carton. Delivering
outside the local area will increase hauling costs. The packing house costs includes costs for the carton,
packing, marketing and some miscellaneous fees charged by the packer. The costs are based on typical costs as
received from packinghouses and growers in the region.