Peachy summer in Middle Georgia

Georgia peaches are part of my heritage. During my childhood, they were a symbol of summertime, when my dad — a traveling insurance agent — would follow the peach crop from South to North Georgia to provide our family with fresh peaches for most of the summer. Often, our family would travel to pick-your-own farms and pluck peaches straight from the trees. 

Although Georgia is known as The Peach State, it ranks behind California and South Carolina in total peach production. Still, more than 130 million pounds of peaches are produced annually between May and August in Georgia. 

While home gardeners across the entire state are able to grow peaches, there are two commercial peach-growing regions. The largest is in our own backyard: Middle Georgia has 1.6 million trees and accounts for 75% of the state’s peach production. 

Unsurprisingly, the roots of Georgia’s commercial peach industry are here. Samuel Rumph, a peach grower in Marshallville, developed a new variety named “Elberta” in honor of his wife. The variety was not only of high quality but also shipped better than previous varieties. Rumph’s inventions of an icebox for peach crates and the refrigerated train car rapidly expanded the Southern fruit industry. Today, most of the more than 50 varieties of peaches currently grown in Georgia were bred from the Elberta.

While truly tree-ripened peaches may have the best flavor, they are fragile. Because of this, growers must balance optimal quality with the durability needed for transport. They train harvesters to pick peaches at the proper time based on color, flesh firmness and lab testing of the juice for the best ratio of sugars to acids. Fruit that is to be shipped longer distances is harvested earlier than what will be sold locally.

There are three peach packing houses near Macon where visitors are welcome to watch the packing process and to purchase ripe peaches, as well as other goodies, like fresh peach ice cream. Yum! Two of these, Pearson Farm and Lane Southern Orchards, are in Fort Valley. Dickey Farms is in Musella. These farms also supply local grocers.

Georgia peaches are currently at the peak of their season. Most of the varieties that ripen in July are “melting-flesh” cultivars, which continue to ripen after harvest. If stored incorrectly, they can easily turn mealy or dry. 

When purchasing them, choose peaches with a strong, sweet smell and a yellow “ground” or background color. Keep in mind, a red blush does not guarantee ripeness. Peaches should be firm with a slight “give.” Avoid soft, bruised, or overripe fruit. 

If your peaches need to ripen, place them in a paper bag at a temperature above 51 degrees, not in the refrigerator. Once they have fully ripened, they may be stored in the refrigerator for several days. For the best flavor, serve them at room temperature.

This July, savor some sweet, juicy Georgia peaches and support Georgia farmers. Perhaps they will become part of your summer memories, too. 

Kathy Hensley works for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service in Bibb County. The county office provides resources for gardeners as well as educational services and community support. Visit their office at 715 Oglethorpe Street, call them at 748-310-5350 or email their staff at bibb.extension@uga.edu.