By Macie Clugston
Communications Intern
Fruit orchards across the state have reported above average yields this season, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Dr. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension fruit specialist, said late freezes, spring storms and heavy rains have not affected most orchards.
“The freezes thinned some early varieties, but the late-producing varieties still needed thinning,” he said. “The crops look good.”
Some would say they look just peachy.
“Peach trees need a certain amount of chill hours to produce good food,” Dianne Eckhardt, Hill Country peach farmer, said. “We had a really cold winter and then three cold days in March, which helped the peach trees reach those chill hours.”
Peach growers in the Hill Country began harvesting in May, and other varieties will be available through August, Stein said. Peaches in North and East Texas should be available through Labor Day.
The high moisture levels this spring brought challenges for growers. Increased monitoring was needed for fungal and bacterial diseases, Stein said. Some orchards reported heavy stinkbug infestations.
“Stinkbugs are hard to control,” he said. “When they feed on young fruit, they can deform it. We call it ‘cat-faced’ because they’re scarred-up looking.”
Stein noted some areas of Texas received more rain than others, but the overall moisture levels make him excited for next year.
“In years where trees are under drought stress in June and July during flower initiation, we typically see a lot of doubles the next year,” he said. “Doubles are when the tree produces two flowers per bud—twin peaches—so you have two small peaches rather than one big peach. It lessens size and quality. The moisture conditions are good, so theoretically there is less chance of that happening next year.”
Retail prices for peaches are $1.56-$3.98 per pound compared to $1.95-$2.99 per pound in 2018, according to AgriLife Extension’s early June crop and weather report.