If you have a peach tree in your yard like I do, you can pick the fruit before they’re fully ripe and allow them to continue to mature to peak sweetness inside.

Some will tell you that you have to pick the initial offerings of the tree.

There seems to be a debate about whether to remove the first fruits of a peach tree (or any fruit tree). Some say removing the first fruits of a young peach tree will allow the tree to focus its energy on growing strong roots and developing its size so that it will produce larger amounts quicker and be able to provide adequate nutrients to its fruit in future seasons. While others say this is true, but not necessary. The argument is that it does no real harm to the tree to allow the first fruits to grow and you do not have to wait another full year to see some literal “fruits of labor”. The first fruits will not be as plentiful and maybe not as large, but it would be something.

I wasn’t focused on future potential, however. I’m impatient when it comes to my summer fruit. This morning, I looked outside at my young, immature peach tree and couldn’t wait another day. I know my tree is nowhere near ready to produce its best fruit, but I marched out there, found the softest of the bunch, picked it, washed it and bit in. It was bland. The softness was starting to become apparent, but the sweetness was missing. From fruitguys.com:

Peaches are climacteric, which means they ripen after picking. Peaches should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma.

I’ll grab a few, leave them out, see if they get sweeter and report back

Strong mind,

Kap