Peaches Start to Finish

January 2009 – Bare root tree stock planted for espalier line.  There were no expectations in 2009 to have fruit produced by the very young trees.

O’Henry Peach is a yellow, old-fashioned, sweet peach.  It’s a freestone that is large, firm, and with a full red skin.

March 2009 – The pink buds begin to open.  All types of insects descended into the garden.  Maybe they were already there but finally woke up or hatched.

Ladybugs joined in by feasting on all the “bad” bugs.  Go girls!

April 2009 – The tiny fruit was hanging on and growing rather than dropping from  the young tree.  Fruit did not hold on the plums, nectarines, or apricots.  The pears did not have any fruit.  The apples were the only other trees to hang on to the fruit.

May 2009 – Five peaches looked like they were going to hang on into the summer.  When the temperatures began to rise, they began to blush.

June 2009 – A garden fence had been constructed on the north side of the espalier line.  It was painted without losing any of the precious crop. 

Nothing notable occurred in July 2009 regarding the peach tree.

August 2009 – Blasted birds started to sample the fruit.  It was time to act quickly.  The fruit felt firm but soft.  This indicated that they may be perfect to harvest.

 

 

 

 

                 Before                                            After

The birds received 1/5 of the crop (1 peach).  They were delicious.  O’Henry Peach grafted on Citation Hybrid rootstock (dwarf) by the Dave Wilson Nursery in Reedley, California, is highly recommended for production in California’s Central Valley.  They are noted for being strong, vigorous, heavy bearing trees.  The fruit is supposed to be excellent for freezing.  We’ll see if we can make it that far next year.

Don’t forget to vote.