Good Morning, Carolinians :)
I'll post in Fruits and Nuts as well, but really wondered if anyone has had a particular success with any particular type of peach in the Upstate SC area? I'm actually willing to invest a decent amount in two trees, but want to get some input to make it worth while.
Thanks!
Peach Trees?
Sigh, you are in the right area to grow the yummy ones. You might want to check with your extension service about good varieties for your area.
Red Haven is the more popular among the orchardists. I like white fleshed peaches so I grow Carolina Belle. Georgia Bell is similar but later ripening. For Flavor, among the yellow fleshed freestones ,Redskin. It is too soft for commercial use however.
ardesia wrote;"You might want to check with your extension service about good varieties for your area."
I'm convinced that the extension services have a bulletin out about me...."Give her the Rookie, she'll believe everything!" Seriously, all the information I've gotten from my local office seems to have been taken from a gardening guide. They don't even have as many as I do:). The last questions got me answers more suitable to North Carolina. Sigh.
Which is why I turn to DG.
Farmerdill, I'd be lost without you. Okay, Carolina Belle was on my list, now off to find Redskin. No commercial interest here, but I love soft peaches....
New question....what do I look for? Pre-pruned or not (I'm a very hesitant pruner), what size/age, and how do I find a reputable supplier? All I've found around here are the Big Box stores, are they okay?
Thanks, as always!
Yikes, that is pitiful. What county are you in?
I will admit, the county extension offices are stretched as thin as butterfly wings. There was a time when the counties had extension agents that were specialists in things like veggies, fruits or horticulture. Nowadays you often get only one agent and that person might be an entomologist but they have to answer ALL the questions whether they are trained in those areas or not. The key words about the guides they use are "research based"; because people are so quick to sue these days they can only offer information which has been proven. Very sad...
I live in Greenville, but have an address in an Anderson town, so I've tried both. In Florida it wasn't much different, but I did find one agent who was amazing. I had to ask who was there before I asked a question :). I'll keep trying, there must be someone.....
Cat; I f you are not into pruning, I would suggest pre pruned trees. As for the big box stores, I have found thier labling atrocious. I have not ever gotten one true to cultivar. You are not that far from the center of peach production in SC. Maybe a road trip down toward Edgefield County, Johnston and a visit to a couple of orchards would give you some good ideas. Johnson Nursery in Elijay, Ga has a pretty good rep, but seem to only carry the latest innovations. Ison's has Redskin and Georgia Belle ( also a North Georgia Company) I got the Carolina Belle and White Giant from Starks several years. Carolina Belle is a much better producer of the two. Actually my last planting came from Vernon Barnes (Redskin and Golden Jubilee) excellent trees and great price, but they don't have a website. You can look all these up in the Watchdog.
Thank you! I've been wandering around the Stark's website, but I didn't have a clue what to look for. There are so many names, types and not much indication of how to choose. I knew you'd know :)