New Jersey, widely known as the “Garden State,” holds a significant place in U.S. fruit production, particularly for peaches. The region’s climate and rich soil create ideal conditions for growing flavorful, high-quality peaches. New Jersey ranks among the top four states in the country for peach production, supplying the fresh fruit market with a continuous harvest throughout the summer months. This guide details the timeline for the New Jersey peach season, signature varieties, and advice on locating the freshest fruit.
The General Season Timeline
The New Jersey peach season typically begins in early to mid-July, marking the start of the summer harvest. This initial period features the earliest varieties, which are often clingstone peaches. Clingstone peaches adhere firmly to the pit and are generally used for processing into canned products, jams, and jellies due to their juiciness.
The season reaches its peak during late July and extends through August, which is widely recognized as National Peach Month. As the season progresses, the harvest transitions to freestone peaches, which are the most popular for fresh eating and home baking. Freestone varieties separate easily from the pit, dominating the market during the peak season.
The harvest continues through early September, though availability begins to decline toward mid-month. The main commercial season concludes around Labor Day. Growers ensure a continuous harvest by planting a succession of varieties that ripen at different times.
Signature New Jersey Varieties
New Jersey growers cultivate over 70 different varieties of yellow and white-fleshed peaches to ensure a consistent supply throughout the season. The ripening sequence of these varieties is staggered, allowing for a fresh harvest every day from mid-summer to early fall. Early-season varieties include peaches like ‘Desiree’ and ‘Queencrest,’ which are clingstone or semi-freestone and are harvested in late June to early July.
The ‘Redhaven’ typically kicks off the mid-season harvest around mid-July. This semi-freestone peach is highly regarded for its flavor and firm texture, making it ideal for fresh eating. Moving into the peak of the season in August, you will find varieties like ‘Loring,’ which is a large, yellow-fleshed freestone variety favored for canning and freezing.
The ‘Coralstar’ is another prominent mid-to-late season peach, featuring large, freestone fruit with orange-scarlet red skin. ‘Coralstar’ has firm flesh with a sweet and mildly tangy flavor. Late-season peaches, such as ‘Fayette’ and ‘Flame Prince,’ ripen in late August and early September, extending the freestone availability with firm fruit.
Locating the Freshest Peaches
Local farms offer several direct-to-consumer options for acquiring the freshest New Jersey peaches, including Pick-Your-Own (P-Y-O) experiences, roadside stands, and farmers’ markets. P-Y-O orchards provide the opportunity to select the fruit directly from the tree. However, call ahead to confirm which varieties are currently ripe for picking, as availability changes weekly.
When selecting a ripe peach, look for vibrant color and a pleasant, sweet aroma. The presence of a golden hue near the stem is a sign of ripeness; pale yellow or green indicates the peach still needs more time to mature. Gently cup the peach in your hand; a ripe one will yield slightly to a gentle squeeze but should not be overly soft.
Purchasing from a roadside stand or farmers’ market ensures the peaches were likely picked within a day or two of sale. Peaches should be stored at room temperature, stem-side down, until they reach your desired softness. Fully ripe peaches can then be moved to the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process.