This year’s peach season has been a mixed bag for Texas growers.
Orchards in North Texas, like Hutton Peach Farm in Weatherford, have had an excellent crop and may be harvesting until Labor Day. But orchards in other areas of Texas have already finished the season.
Jay Hutton, owner of Hutton Peach Farm, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he has had a great season with multiple varieties that “all set this year.”
Hutton’s farm has been restocking shelves almost as quickly as a box went out the door.
But the mild weather and lack of chill hours hurt orchards further south and east.
Cooper Farms in Freestone County has already ended their 2017 peach season.
And grocery stores like H-E-B are having to ship in peaches from stores in South Carolina and California.
“It’s been a challenging year,” Mart Mika, H-E-B’s produce business development manager, told the Star-Telegram. “I really feel for the Texas peach folks. It seems like they’ve had more challenging years than not.”
Other growers have retired or are slowly getting out of the business. The difficulties and challenges of peach growing have discouraged growers like John and Jean O’Bannon from replanting new trees.
The O’Bannons grow peaches a few miles down the road from the Hutton Peach Farm. Jean said she doesn’t think many of the younger generation will be getting into the business.
“It’s hard way to make a living,” Jean told the Star-Telegram. “If it rains too little, you’re in trouble, and if it rains too much, you’re in trouble. Then, if you don’t get a late freeze and get a crop, you’ve got to hope the deer don’t eat all of your peaches.”
But the Hutton family still plans to stay in the peach business despite its ups and downs.
Does anyone know who has peaches in Charlie, Tx?
We would like to buy at least a bushel of freestone peaches.
Try Hams Orchard/Produce on Hwy 80, East of Terrell