• Citrus fruit is not only nutritious, it's delicious.citrus fruits image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
  
  Citrus trees are subtropical trees grown in mild climates around the world and do not tolerate frost. Much of the nation's citrus is grown in Florida. One of the benefits of being a resident of this state is a backyard citrus tree. In Northern Florida's United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 8, winter temperatures drop below freezing. Fortunately, some citrus crops are hardy than other varieties.
  
  

Orange

• Orange trees are a part of many Florida gardens.orange tree in the garden image by Daria Miroshnikova from Fotolia.com
  
  Orange trees are self-pollinating. They require only one tree to bear fruit. The deep-green, evergreen leaves make them a popular addition to the Florida garden. The fruit is orange and juicy, commonly eaten raw or squeezed for its juice. When selecting oranges for your Northern Florida landscape, choose those varieties that ripen early in the season to avoid frost damage. Oranges such as oseck, Hamlin and Parson Brown ripen in the fall before the first expected winter frost, according to the University of Florida.
  
  

Satsuma Mandarins

• Mandarins closely resemble oranges.mandarin image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com
  
  A native of southern Japan, the Satsuma Mandarin is the most cold hardy of all commercial citrus, according to Florida State University. Satsuma mandarins are reddish-orange and ripen throughout October and November. Although smaller than an orange, the fruit is sweet and juicy with a low acid content. Harvest Satsuma Mandarins as soon as they ripen. The quality of this fruit diminishes rapidly if left on the tree after ripening, but stores well after harvest. Owari, Wase and Kara are varieties of Satsuma mandarins that grow in Northern Florida.
  
  

Kumquat

• Kumquats are a frequent addition to Christmas fruit baskets.kumquat image by dead_account from Fotolia.com
  
  Native to Asia, kumquats are known as the "the little gem of the citrus family," according to Purdue University. Kumquat trees are frost tolerant and grow where other citrus fail. Although bearing edible fruit, the kumquat tree is often planted for its ornamental qualities. Reaching only 15 feet tall and wide with many branches growing from the roots, kumquat trees resemble large shrubs. Fragrant white flowers bloom in the spring. The fruit is oval or round and ripens in the fall. The kumquat flesh has a greenish tinge and is sweet with a high-acid content. The thick peel of this fruit ranges in color from golden-yellow to reddish-orange. Kumquats are eaten raw or used as an ingredient in baked or canned goods.