Images Courtesy Brecknock Orchards
Determined not to let the sweetness of summer be stymied by shorter-seasoned fruit, peaches and nectarines come along in the closing months with bushels of fruit and fun festivals. Less messy and easier to pick than berries, while just as versatile as their aforementioned orchard companions, peaches have a season that can span over a month. Peaches, of course, can also be subject to the whims of weather; however, the picking season this year shows no signs of trouble and should run from July or early August through mid-September, allowing much time for day or weekend trips.
Alongside the peaches are their non-fuzzy relatives, the nectarines. Without as many varieties as peaches, but similar in taste and size, nectarines are great for simple snacking, although not as preferred for canning and freezing due to their slightly milder flavor. From a cooking standpoint, nectarines and peaches are interchangeable in recipes, so feel free to pick both at the orchard. Some people may even prefer a nectarine due to its lack of fuzz. If nutrition facts matter, the nectarine beats the peach by containing double the vitamin A and increased potassium.
Brecknock Orchards celebrates the mighty peach with an annual festival (this year on August 12th and 19th) with white, yellow and the new “donut” (or flat, or Saturn) peaches. Asked why they chose the peach for a festival, Andrea Martin says, “it’s one of our main crops,” and adds, “it’s a celebration of peaches.” Indeed, the red carpet is pulled out for the fuzzy fruit with activities for everyone, including three free farm-themed crafts for all ages, canning demonstrations with recipes, and wagon ride tours. To load up a harvest, they offer Fruit Express pull-behind wagons (also perfect for photo opportunities)!
Get the taste buds ready to embark on the sweetest adventure ever with build-your-own peach parfaits, featuring a variety of ingredients like pudding, whipped cream and granola. Don’t stop there though: peach pies, breads, whoopie pies and coffee cakes await those who still haven’t had their fill of peaches. And, of course, there’s still pick-your-own, presenting over 30 different varieties of peaches that, according to Martin, “actually do taste different.”
When it comes to picking, know that the fruit will still need a day or two to ripen at home. After they ripen, they can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, but take them out before eating, as they taste “best at room temperature.” With so many tasty ways to enjoy a peach, Martin says her favorite way to savor the sweet gem is “just to slice them and eat them.” Just let the juice run down the chin—it’s peach season.
Always call or check websites or Facebook before venturing to any orchard to confirm availability.
Pick a Peck of Peaches
Brecknock Orchard
A farmer’s market, farm tours, pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, plus seasonal festivals are sure to bring anyone, from solo travelers to families near and far, for an experience in fresh food. The farm tries every method possible to maintain natural pest management and only uses pesticides when an entire crop may be threatened and lost. Visit the observation apiary to learn more about bees and how they help pollinate the orchard’s trees.
390 Orchard Road, Mohnton, PA / brecknockorchard.com / 717-445-5704
Brown’s Orchard
A connoisseur will enjoy going to Brown's because yellow and white flesh varieties of both peaches and nectarines, as well as the donut peach, are available. In addition, they are offering their free Summer Concert Series through mid-October with added ice cream, a BBQ pit and a playground, making Sundays extra sweet. (Check website for times and bands.)
8892 Susquehanna Trail South, Loganville, PA / brownsorchards.com / 717-428-2036
Cherry Hill Orchards
A local picking paradise with an outlet store open year-round whether or not there is fruit to pick, this mainstay of Lancaster offers over 20 varieties of peaches. Pick up some flowers and baked goods to accompany the peaches for a happy home and belly.
400 Long Lane, Lancaster, PA / cherryhillorchards.com / 717-872-9311
Flinchbaugh’s Orchard
Between Wrightsville and York lies Flinchbaugh's Orchard, offering many opportunities to engage with both the fruit and the farm. With weekly Little Sprouts Summer Classes (see website for dates and times) teaching fun farm facts about composting, eggs, flowers and food, there’s something for every kid to learn. August is also ripe with the 11th Annual Peach Festival, held on the 5th and 12th, with tractor-drawn rides, kids’ games, activities and tastings. The corn maze will be open, and kids can also partake in the Peach Olympics.
110 Ducktown Road, Hellam, PA / flinchbaughsorchard.com / 717-252-2540
Paulus Orchards
While they do not offer PYO peaches (they still sell them), it’s fair to mention that this orchard and agri-tourism location does serve up a peach festival on August 12th. With an all-you-can-eat (pancake) breakfast and festival benefitting the Ecumenical Food Pantry, there’s plenty of reason to visit. Free samples, craft vendors, live entertainment and wagon rides are all available in addition to the PlayLand feature with over a dozen more activities for kids.
522 East Mount Airy Road, Dillsburg, PA / paulusorchards.com / 717-432-2544
Weaver’s Orchard
Pick some pears in addition to luscious peaches at Weaver’s while also visiting their farmer’s market, featuring their homemade applesauce and apple butter. Kim’s Cafe on site serves a wide variety of hot and cold beverages, like fresh-squeezed juice and lattes, with seasonal baked goods on the side. Picking fruit can work up an appetite!
40 Fruit Lane, Morgantown, PA / weaversorchard.com / 610-856-7300
