September Peaches

A few days ago, we found out that the peach orchard down the street is ready for picking. I've gone apple picking many times -- nothing feels more like fall than a crisp afternoon in an apple orchard -- but I had never gone peach picking.

The orchard is a few hundred feet down the road from us, tucked away down a wooded drive. We walked away with entirely too many peaches. I'm eating one now, and will probably have a few each day with enough to spare for a pie.

Going peach picking soon? Here are a few tips:

1. Unless you like really firm, tart peaches, pick the ones that "give" a little 

when you squeeze them (gently!). Peaches don't ripen once they

 are off the tree, they only become softer.

2. Use the pads of your fingers to twist the peaches from the stem -- the soft 

fruit is incredibly quick to bruise, and peaches that are "ready" 

will come right off the stem anyway.

3. Watch out for all of the bees! 

4. When you get home, separate any bruised fruits. These can be cut up for

 canning or freezing, but shouldn't be kept with the other peaches.