SP307-M-Selecting Quality Peaches

Fresh peaches provide a real summer taste treat. With proper preservation, they may be enjoyed all year long.

Peaches are called the “Queen of Fruits. ” They are grown commercially in most areas of Tennessee except for the Cumberland Plateau and the higher elevations of East Tennessee. Most years the peach harvest in Tennessee will extend from about June 1 through August.

Peaches may be purchased at grocery stores, at fruit and vegetable markets and at the farms where they are grown. On-farm markets may offer harvested fruit for sale or give you the opportunity to pick your own. Since peaches attain their highest quality when allowed to tree ripen, the best fruit will be that which is grown locally. Ripe peaches are much too fragile to withstand shipment to distant markets.