Two things mark the unofficial start of summer in Alabama: the arrival of hot, humid days and the appearance of the first Chilton County peaches of Alabama peach season.

Promises of a bumper peach crop in 2024 (much better than last year's dismal harvest) are proving true, as the first varieties of sweet, juicy peaches began hitting shelves at local farmers markets and popular stores like Peach Park and Durbin Farms Market along Interstate 65 in mid-May. The harvest should continue through August.

Alabama farmers grow dozens of varieties of peaches that ripen at different times of the season, including Junegold, Red Heaven and Topaz. Each variety only bears fruit for 7 to 10 days, so orchards plant multiple varieties to harvest throughout the summer.

Early season peaches are collectively known as “clingstone” because the seeds are still attached to the peach flesh. New semi-free hybrids with fewer seeds that don't stick will arrive in the first few weeks of June. Starting in late June, the popular freestone varieties will be available. They are super easy to peel and the seeds come out cleanly.

Alabama white-fleshed peaches are generally considered sweeter and less sour than the typical yellow peaches. White-fleshed peaches are a favorite for mixing with sparkling wine to make a Bellini.

Alabama farmers harvest roughly 5 tons of peaches in a decent year, with about 75 percent of them grown in Chilton County. And yet we're not even in the top 10 nationally. South Carolina (67,400 tons) and Georgia (24,800 tons) ranked second and third nationally in 2022 production, well behind California (475,000 tons). But folks in the Yellowhammer State give their homegrown peaches a taste rival that of peaches from other regions.

Southern peach-producing states Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina have suffered poor weather and reduced yields in recent years. In 2023, southern producers lost more than 80% of their total harvest due to a warmer than average winter and a prolonged cold snap in March.

With the weather having been mostly favorable so far this season, Alabama's peach season is already shaping up to be bumper, according to local farmers.

That is good news for us.

Here are some tips on how and where to buy and preserve your precious peaches.

buy

You can find Alabama peaches at local pop-up farmers markets and seasonal produce stands, and if you're heading down Interstate 65 to the beach, your trip wouldn't be complete without a stop at one or both of the specialty peach shops in Chilton County at Exit 205. The desserts at these market restaurants (listed below) are featured on the state tourism office's list of “100 Dishes to Try in Alabama.”

Peach Park: 2300 Seventh Street South, Clanton (35046). “100” Dish: Peach Pie.

Durbin Farms Market: 2130 Seventh Street South, Clanton (35045). “100” dish: Peach ice cream.

choose

There are more pick-your-own berry farms than peach farms. Most peach farms offer pick-your-own berries for sale, but here are a few farms where you can pick your own. Contact us for hours and availability.

Macclaw Farm:7299 County Road 15, Maplesville (36750). 334-366-4263.

Scotts Orchard:2163 Scott Road, Hazel Green (35750). 256-828-4563.

shop

Peaches are picked and refrigerated before they're fully ripe, so don't worry if they're hard when you buy them. Leave them on the counter for a few days until they soften, after which they're usually best at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. If you store recently softened peaches in the refrigerator, they'll keep for a few more days.

Freezing peeled and sliced ​​peaches will allow you to enjoy peaches long after Alabama's peach season is over. Peaches will keep well for up to a year, just long enough to wait until Alabama's next peach harvest.

Courtesy: SoulGrown Alabama.