One of the most striking qualities of commercial or hybrid fruit varieties is their predictability. You know beforehand when your crop will be ready for harvest, the flavour, size and appearance. The time before harvest is slightly shorter, possibly due to our warmer weather, which encourages faster plant growth and fruit ripening. The size and flavour may be affected by soil conditions, temperatures and rain/ watering.
The peaches and nectarine posted a few weeks ago are ready for harvest. They flowered later than they usually do due to our warm winter. However, they were ready for harvest within 6-8 weeks. The fruit fly prevention worked out, and the birds were more interested in the blackberries. So our fruits are safe. We are still waiting for the middle and late-season peaches and nectarine to ripen over the next month. The heirloom peaches flowered first, producing smaller fruit and not yet ripe.
- Harvest the fruits a few days after your last deep watering.
- Pick the fruits while they are still firm. This will increase their shelf life and protect them from birds.
- Keep the fruit fly traps active.
