How Do I Know When To Pick My Peaches? Updated! YUMMY!

The Red Baron ones that are on the bigger tree that is planted is still doing okay, but the fruit isn't very big. So I'm not sure they'll even ripen up this year or not. At least the birds aren't messing with them and they look healthy compared to last year.
Now... my brother's Bonanza Peach tree is in a rather large container and has 6 very nice sized peaches. They are starting to turn red but are still very hard.
Do I pick them as soon as they start to soften up?



Bonanza peach ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )






Bonanza Peach "twins" ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

 

Cheryl... I think they should be picked if/when they pull or twist off from the tree fairly easily. they will still be a little hard, but you put them in a paper bag and they will finish ripening in there. When they are a little soft to the touch (not the fuzzy soft, but like a ripe tomato soft) and fragrant they are probably ripe.

 

Cheryl can I come over and help you eat them, pleasseee.....

 

Thanks Carolyn. I'll give them a little tug this evening. About how long do they need to stay in the paper bag? Just a couple days?

KK.... I'll share... but you'd better be able to travel on a moment's notice!

 

Juicy peaches, a cure for hunger. The ones I get in aisle 20 are hard and I have to wait for them to soften up.

Jerry

 

I really6 can't give you a solid answer. they ripen at there own spped. I have seen a bushel of peaches need to be sorted and take a week between first to last for ripening or maybe even a little longer. It is hard to get a bushel of peaches canned in one day...not all of them are ripe at the same time. When they are soft and fragrant... just check them every day and ref. them if you can't eat them all because too many are ripe at the same time.

 

Thanks Carolyn for the info. There are only 3 that are getting close... so I don't think they'll have to be refrigerated... at least for not more than a day

 

Cheryl you are very patient.. I wish I could grab them now..they look scrumptious.

 

Green Fingers... not so patient... I check them every day to see if they are getting any softer. But,after waiting 3 years for any fruit, I sure don't want to mess them up by picking too soon.

 

Well... I picked them on 5/30 and put them in a brown paper bag as suggested.



Bonanza Peaches - 1st crop ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

And today... they are ripe!





Bonanza Peaches - sweet AND juicy! ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

 

Those look amazing! I wish I could grow peaches here, they are one of my favorite fruits.

 

I am with you Netty, a big YUM to your peaches Cherlylad.

 

Thanks Netty and KK. I have one left... almost had it for breakfast this morning but decided to save it for dessert tonight.
Three more on the tree are almost ready for picking.
It's the cutest little tree... I need to take a photo of it and show how it hides it's fruit.

 

Wow!
Cheryl, I don't care for peaches, but yours look soooo good, I might just change my mind! Congrats! Your patience pays off!

 

Thanks Beeker... they are better than any store-bought peach I've had!

Also... here's the little tree. It's a Bonanza. And the reason my brother chose it was because of how it's leaves form "tufts" that hide the fruit from the birds. Smart tree!



Bonanza Peach Tree... can you spot the fruit? ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )






Here they are... tucked safely out of sight ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )