Where to find local peaches?
I’m a huge fan of Detroit-based Farm to Freezer’s peaches, which you get a two-pound bag of in this $40 frozen fruit box assortment of all their summer fruits. They freeze local produce with a small blast chiller within a few hours of harvesting ...
Where can you buy fresh peaches?
You can pick them up from multiple downtown locations or online. King of Pops has outposts in Atlanta, Athens and Savannah of their rainbow umbrella stands and also has some in restaurants. Pick up a pop in the fresh peach and peaches & cream, which are only available seasonally.
Where are the most peaches grown?
What kind of peaches are grown in South Carolina?
- Gold Prince (cling)
- Gala (cling)
- Blaze Prince (semi-freestone)
- Summer Gold (freestone)
- Cresthaven (freestone)
- Winblo (freestone)
- O’Henry (freestone)
- Big Red (freestone)
What is the largest producer of peaches?
- 'Duke of York'
- 'Peregrine'
- 'Rochester'
- 'Lord Napier' (nectarine)
How are peaches produced?
The peach develops from a single ovary that ripens into both a fleshy, juicy exterior that forms the edible part of the fruit and a hard interior, called the stone or pit, that encloses the seed(s). Of the two ovules in the ovary, usually only one becomes fertilized and develops into a seed.
How are peaches distributed?
Labeling – The peaches are distributed to different “cups” based on the size of the fruit, and then are labelled according to their size. There are two rows of labels and depending on which size the fruit is, the correct labeler will label the fruit.
Where are peaches produced?
Nationwide, the top four states in peach production are California, South Carolina, Georgia and New Jersey. California is a significant producer of both fresh and processed peaches, while South Carolina and Georgia mainly produce fresh peaches.
Where do peaches grow naturally?
The top four states in peach production are California, South Carolina, Georgia and New Jersey. In 2017, California supplied nearly 56 percent of the United States fresh peach crop and more than 96 percent of processed peaches (NASS, 2021).
Cultivation Of Peach
Peaches thrive in a limited range of dry continental or temperate climates. Most of the peach cultivars need 500 hours of chilling climate between 0 to 10 degrees Celsius when important chemical reactions take place even though the plant might appear dormant.
Production And Top Producing Countries
China is the leading producer of peach, a deciduous tree native to the region of Northwest China that yields an edible a fruits whose extract contain a significant nutritional value. In 2017 China grew 14 million tonnes of peaches. Spain came in second producing 1.7 million tons followed by Italy with 1.2 million tons.
Description
Prunus persica grows up to 7 m (23 ft) tall and wide, but when pruned properly, trees are usually 3–4 m (10–13 ft) tall and wide. The leaves are lanceolate, 7–16 cm (3– 6 + 1⁄2 in) long, 2–3 cm ( 3⁄4 – 1 + 1⁄4 in) broad, and pinnately veined.
Etymology
The scientific name persica, along with the word "peach" itself and its cognates in many European languages, derives from an early European belief that peaches were native to Persia (modern-day Iran). The Ancient Romans referred to the peach as malum persicum "Persian apple", later becoming French pêche, whence the English "peach".
Fossil record
Fossil endocarps with characteristics indistinguishable from those of modern peaches have been recovered from late Pliocene deposits in Kunming, dating to 2.6 million years ago. In the absence of evidence that the plants were in other ways identical to the modern peach, the name Prunus kunmingensis has been assigned to these fossils.
History
Although its botanical name Prunus persica refers to Persia, genetic studies suggest peaches originated in China, where they have been cultivated since the neolithic period. Until recently, cultivation was believed to have started around 2000 BC.
Cultivation
Peaches grow in a fairly limited range in dry, continental or temperate climates, since the trees have a chilling requirement that tropical or subtropical areas generally do not satisfy except at high altitudes (for example in certain areas of Ecuador, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, and Nepal ).
Cultural significance
Peaches are not only a popular fruit, but also are symbolic in many cultural traditions, such as in art, paintings, and folk tales such as Peaches of Immortality .
Phytochemicals
Total polyphenols in mg per 100 g of fresh weight were 14–102 in white-flesh nectarines, 18–54 in yellow-flesh nectarines, 28–111 in white-flesh peaches, and 21–61 mg per 100 g in yellow-flesh peaches.
When to Plant Peach Trees
Peach trees should be planted while they’re dormant—typically in late winter or early spring (depending on climate). In regions where the ground freezes during winter, hold off on planting until the soil has thawed and the ground is no longer waterlogged from snowmelt or heavy spring rains.
Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site
For the best fruit production, the tree should be planted in an area that receives full sun all day long. Morning sun is especially crucial because it helps to dry morning dew off the fruit.
How to Plant Peach Trees
Dig a hole that is a few inches deeper and wider than the spread of the roots. Set the tree on top of a small mound of soil in the middle of the hole. Be sure to spread the roots away from the trunk without excessively bending them.
An Alternative Planting Method
If your circumstances are suitable, you might want to try a technique practiced in England. It involves planting a peach tree—ideally a dwarf variety—on the south side of the home (or other structure), directly under the eaves.
How to Care for Peaches
Peach pruning should NOT be avoided. If left unpruned, peach trees weaken, may become diseased, and bear less fruit year after year. Peaches bloom and bear fruit on second-year wood; therefore, the trees need to make good growth each spring and summer to insure a crop for the next year.
How to Harvest Peaches
Peaches are harvested when they are fully ripe from late June through July and August.
How to Store Peaches
You can store peaches in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. They should keep for about 5 days.
How Peaches are Grown, Harvested & Packed
One of the greatest things to look forward to during summer is all of the delicious stone fruit, with peaches and nectarines being high up on that list! I recently had the opportunity to visit Simonian Fruit Company, which is a stone fruit operation in Fowler, CA, to get a behind the scenes view of their peach harvesting and packing operation.
Where are Peaches Grown in California?
Peaches are grown in the Central Valley of California. The specific region is centered around the Kingsburg, California area.
When is Peach Season in California?
Peach season runs from April to October in California. It is filled with different peach cultivars that ripen throughout that five to six month window each year.
How do Peaches Grow?
Peaches grow on trees! In large growing operations, they grow in beautiful and strategically planted orchards.
Peach Harvest & Packing
For a detailed overview of the entire peach harvesting and packing process, check out the video below! In it, you can see the full process from field to grocery store.
Peach Harvesting
Peaches are hand harvested into bags. They harvest the fruit while it is still firm, as peaches are climacteric and will continue ripening after harvest. Once the bags are full, they dump them into big bins that are lined up on a tractor in the field.
Peach Packing
Once peaches arrive at the packinghouse, they are ran on the packing line the same day.
History
The painting "The Tale of the Peach-Blossom Land" inside of the Long Corridor on the grounds of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, China.
Cultivation
Peach production is largely concentrated in northern, central to eastern and north-western China, although a significant part of the country grows them. In general, peach production in China can be divided into seven regions based on regional climate and ecological differences.
Uses
Consumption of peaches within China has increased with marked preferences, people in Shanghai preferring the sweet and juicy variety, while Beijing people prefer the hard-flesh sourish variety. Canned peaches are also becoming popular in urban areas, yellow peaches being the preferred variety for canning.
Marketing
Site Selection
- The success of any orchard is directly related to planning and preparation. The ideal site for an orchard consists of rolling or sloping land to enhance air drainage during periods of spring frosts. The best site is south facing with a slope of between 4 and 8 percent because operating equipment on steeper slopes may be difficult. Sites with deep, well-drained soils are preferred b…
Land Preparation
- The land should be prepared as if planting a traditional field crop. The soil should be plowed and leveled with a disk and harrow. Starting with an even orchard floor will reduce the possibility of standing water and make fruit harvesting and transportation easier. Establishing an orchard in well-prepared soil rather than established sod will also aid in keeping the tree rows and row mid…
Ordering Trees
- Trees should be purchased from a reputable nursery to ensure they are true to variety and free of disease. Most nurseries also provide a guarantee of survivability; check for this guarantee before ordering trees. The nursery can also offer advice concerning tree and row spacing. Trees generally need to be ordered at least one year prior to orchard establishment. A problem in Penn…
Layout and Planting
- Regardless of whether you are laying out an orchard on level or sloping land, care should be taken to make the rows as evenly spaced as possible. The distance between the rows should be the same throughout the orchard. Placing stakes in the rows prior to planting will help to ensure that the distance between the rows is the same throughout. This should be strived for whether planti…
Production Considerations
- In the United States, anyone desiring to purchase restricted-use pesticides is required to have a pesticide applicators license. Even some materials used in organic production now require a license. In Pennsylvania, the licensing procedure is handled by PDA. Check with your state regarding these requirements. Because of the complexity of fruit production and the large numb…
Environmental Impacts
- In the normal course of operations, farmers handle pesticides and other chemicals, may have manure to collect and spread, and use equipment to prepare fields and harvest crops. Any of these routine on-farm activities can be a potential source of surface water or groundwater pollution. Because of this possibility, you must understand the regulations to follow concerning t…
Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) are voluntary programs that you may wish to consider for your operation. The idea behind these programs is to ensure a safer food system by reducing the chances for foodborne illnesses resulting from contaminated products reaching consumers. Also, several major food distribution chains are beginning to requ…
Risk Management
- You should carefully consider how to manage risk on your farm. First, you should insure your facilities and equipment. This may be accomplished by consulting your insurance agent or broker. It is especially important to have adequate levels of property, vehicle, and liability insurance. You will also need workers compensation insurance if you have any employees. You may also want t…
Introduction
Marketing Channels
- California clingstone peaches are available from July 10 to mid-September, while California freestone peaches are harvested from April 20 to October 10. The Southern states of Georgia and South Carolina provide peaches from May to August. For all other states the marketing season is from July to September. In 2017, 45 percent of the total peach production was sold through the …
Production
- As of 2017, peaches are commercially produced in 20 states. The top four states in peach production are California, South Carolina, Georgia and New Jersey. In 2017, California supplied nearly 56 percent of the United States fresh peach crop and more than 96 percent of processed peaches (NASS, 2021). United States total peach production in 2020 was ...
Management
- Planning and preparation before starting any orchard is the surest way to receive success with your harvest (Pennsylvania State University, n.d.). Peach trees require chilling hours to induce flowering (600 chilling hours for low-chill varieties and 900 for higher chilling varieties). Peach trees can bloom relatively early in the spring, therefore areas that receive frosts after mid-April s…
Financial
- Helpful enterprise budgets for peaches: 1. 2009 Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Fresh Market Peaches (July/August Harvested Varieties) in the San Joaquin Valley – South, University of California – Cooperative Extension, 2009. 2. 2017 Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Processing Peaches (Cling and Freestone, Early and Late Harvested Varieties) in the Sacrament…
Sources
- Different Kinds of Peaches, Clemson University – Cooperative Extension, n.d. Management of Nectarines and Peaches, University of California – Integrated Pest Management (UC-IPM), 2014. Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts Summary, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA, 2021 (Click here for the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture – Organic Survey)
Overview
The peach (Prunus persica) is a deciduous tree first domesticated and cultivated in Zhejiang province of Eastern China. It bears edible juicy fruits with various characteristics, most called peaches and others (the glossy-skinned, non-fuzzy varieties), nectarines.
The specific name persica refers to its widespread cultivation in Persia (moder…
Description
Prunus persica grows up to 7 m (23 ft) tall and wide, but when pruned properly, trees are usually 3–4 m (10–13 ft) tall and wide. The leaves are lanceolate, 7–16 cm (3–6+1⁄2 in) long, 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) broad, and pinnately veined. The flowers are produced in early spring before the leaves; they are solitary or paired, 2.5–3 cm diameter, pink, with five petals. The fruit has yellow or whitish flesh, …
Etymology
The scientific name persica, along with the word "peach" itself – and its cognates in many European languages – derives from an early European belief that peaches were native to Persia (modern-day Iran). The Ancient Romans referred to the peach as malum persicum ("Persian apple"), later becoming French pêche, whence the English "peach". The scientific name, Prunus persica, literally means "Persian plum", as it is closely related to the plum.
Fossil record
Fossil endocarps with characteristics indistinguishable from those of modern peaches have been recovered from late Pliocene deposits in Kunming, dating to 2.6 million years ago. In the absence of evidence that the plants were in other ways identical to the modern peach, the name Prunus kunmingensis has been assigned to these fossils.
History
Although its botanical name Prunus persica refers to Persia, genetic studies suggest peaches originated in China, where they have been cultivated since the Neolithic period. Until recently, cultivation was believed to have started around 2000 BC. More recent evidence indicates that domestication occurred as early as 6000 BC in Zhejiang Province of China. The oldest archaeological peach sto…
Cultivation
Peaches grow in a fairly limited range in dry, continental or temperate climates, since the trees have a chilling requirement that tropical or subtropical areas generally do not satisfy except at high altitudes (for example in certain areas of Ecuador, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, and Nepal). Most cultivars require 500 hours of chilling around 0 to 10 °C (32 to 50 °F). During the chilling period, key chemi…
Production
In 2020, world production of peaches (combined with nectarines for reporting) was 24.6 million tonnes, led by China with 61% of the world total (table).
The U.S. state of Georgia is known as the "Peach State" due to its significant production of peaches as early as 1571, with exports to other states occurring around 1858. In 2014, Georgia was third in US peach production behind California and South Carolina.
Cultural significance
Peaches are not only a popular fruit, but also are symbolic in many cultural traditions, such as in art, paintings, and folk tales such as the Peaches of Immortality.
Peach blossoms are highly prized in Chinese culture. The ancient Chinese believed the peach to possess more vitality than any other tree because their b…