When wife and I left Church this morning, we decided to ride by the (my family) farm, which is leased to a large fruit growing conglomerate. I knew there was an orchard that was about ready to pick, and sure enough, picking was going on when we got there. There were probably 25 bins of peaches, waiting to be transported to the packing house, and picking still going on. As it happened, the "boss," formerly the owner of the huge local operation, now the manager of the peach growing part of the conglomerate, drove up about the time we did.
We talked awhile, and I told him we wanted to get a couple of boxes of peaches. He said sure either go pick them, or just get them out of a bin. They pay us very, very good money for the lease, and I would be perfectly willing to pay for them. He said, "Man, I manage 10,000 acres of peaches! I ain't going to miss a few boxes." Then he told us where the next two varieties will be getting ready (not on our property) and to help ourselves when they get ready.
Last year was the first year the peaches on our place were bearing. Somehow, I missed out on them. I didn't really know what time they got ready, and got there too late for each variety. I plan to make up for that this year. Should have peaches for another month. Best of the season, too. This variety is Scarlet Prince. Next is Sun Prince, finally, Flame Prince. These are all what is called clear seed, or freestone, meaning the flesh of the peach separates from the seed.
Going to eat some, freeze some, and give some away. Going to ship some to my daughter's in-laws, who own three hundred acres of orange trees. Good swap.
We talked awhile, and I told him we wanted to get a couple of boxes of peaches. He said sure either go pick them, or just get them out of a bin. They pay us very, very good money for the lease, and I would be perfectly willing to pay for them. He said, "Man, I manage 10,000 acres of peaches! I ain't going to miss a few boxes." Then he told us where the next two varieties will be getting ready (not on our property) and to help ourselves when they get ready.
Last year was the first year the peaches on our place were bearing. Somehow, I missed out on them. I didn't really know what time they got ready, and got there too late for each variety. I plan to make up for that this year. Should have peaches for another month. Best of the season, too. This variety is Scarlet Prince. Next is Sun Prince, finally, Flame Prince. These are all what is called clear seed, or freestone, meaning the flesh of the peach separates from the seed.
Going to eat some, freeze some, and give some away. Going to ship some to my daughter's in-laws, who own three hundred acres of orange trees. Good swap.
