by Sue Newhouse, auntsue@auntsuesbarn.com

When was the last time you bit into a warm, ripe peach?  I can’t imagine you’ve never done that, but imagine picking that fresh peach right from the tree and biting into it – the juice dripping  down your chin so you have to catch it with the other hand; the ripe flavor causing your mouth to water at the very thought. These aren’t the peaches you get at the grocery store; they can only be experienced in person at a local farm.

Here in North Texas we have not only our local grocer,  but farms and day trips within driving distance that can let us experience the farm first hand. This not only supports the grower with the maximum return on their product, it incorporates family time, educational opportunities and lets your kids experience just what it takes to bring that produce to their table.

Want a day trip?  The Texas Hill County peach growers are known for great produce! Peach farming isn’t as easy as it looks. Because the hill country peaches flower early to mid-March, a frost could occur that may negatively impact a significant percentage of the peaches. That Texas Hill Country farmer is out there going to great lengths to save their crop.  One farmer, who also employs a wind turbine to promote air movement during frost periods, engages a helicopter to fly over the fields in the early hours of the morning to prevent frost from settling on the peaches. Quite an expense, but needed technology at times to save a crop. These farmers may contract with private weather services as well as monitoring moment by moment temperatures through downloadable devices kept out near the trees.

If you’re interested in visiting a local peach orchard, we’re fortunate to have the Red River Peach Orchard just 30 minutes away in Gainesville (www.redriverpeachorchard.com). Not only do they have fabulous peaches June into August, the owner, Norman Miner is available to talk about his orchard with you at great lengths. And lastly, don’t forget about Weatherford, Texas – home of the Parker County Peach Festival scheduled for July 10th (http://www.peachfestivaltx.com/).

Thinking about growing your own? The best time to purchase and plant is during the winter months when the trees are dormant. Although stores don’t usually stock them at that time, you might consider Womack Nursery in De Leon, Texas. This is a local grower who has healthy bare root fruit trees and can provide them at the time they need to be planted. A benefit to buying them directly from the grower is they have the knowledge and are willing to take the time to share it with you.  You can get on their catalog list at www.womacknursery.com.

So think again about what that fresh, dripping warm peach will taste like and support the local growers.  It’s a summer treat your family will remember forever.