to memories of the first peaches of the summer. I can't help but think that it was the email that I received the other day saying that Georgia peaches are coming into season. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the 45 minute drive to Fort Valley or Musella to hand select fresh picked peaches until I get back to Georgia in late July. I am looking at this delay as a positive however because I will be back in time to get some of the late season fruit that is perfect for eating fresh or using in recipes such as peach ice cream or cobblers.Peaches are divided into two categories cling stone and freestone. Specific tree varieties fall into each category and ripen at different times. In Georgia, the cling stone varieties are in season from the middle of May through the first of June and produce fruit best suited for preserving either pickled peaches or as jam or jelly. The freestone trees start coming into season in the middle of June and run into August. The freestone fruits are the peaches that everyone looks for each year with soft flesh and that perfect sweet flavor. These are the peaches that drip juice down your chin when you bite into them.
There are a few tree varieties that are in season between the cling stone and freestone seasonswhich are referred to as semi-free. These middle season peaches can be used as either of the other categories but don't produce results that are quite as good.
If interested in growing your own peaches it is very simple. After enjoying a wonderful peach this summer simply take the pit and store it in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator until October. Then remove and plant approximately 5-6 inches in the ground. Once the tree starts to grow use a stake to keep the growth straight and in 2-3 years you should have fruit. (Be sure to water and use organic fertilizer)
For those of you in Colorado the Palisade peaches are wonderful(their season starts in July) and you can pick them up at the Boulder Farmer's Market http://www.boulderfarmers.org/.
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