06/29/08

Harvest Time for ‘Bonanza’ Peaches!

Today was the day to begin harvesting the peaches. How do I know? A little bird told me!

Bird-pecked peach

As soon as the peaches almost reach ripeness, the birds begin to sample them. Some people cover their fruit trees with netting to protect the fruit from being eaten by the birds. I find it easier to pick the fruit and let it finish ripening a day or so indoors.

This is what one branch looked liked before I picked its peaches. Notice that the branch is almost horizontal from the weight of the peaches (another reason to thin the peaches after the danger of frost has past).

'Bonanza'

This is what the same branch looked liked after the peaches had been picked:

June 29, 2008

Harvesting of the peaches as they ripen will continue over the next week or two. Yummmm. . .