Heat wave and peaches

Here is a pic of my first ever! Peaches!! Tree was planted last year and is a small tree under 6' but loaded with fruit. When can I tell they are ready to pick?

The following thread was started by Roger in Olympia on July 27, 2009 at 11:43 am PST

We are suppose to hit 102 by this Wednesday, been in the low 90's a few days already. This is frost peach!

The above followup was added by Roger in Olympia on July 27, 2009 at 11:46 am PST.

You just gently squeeze them, and if they give, they are ready.

I saw the weather reports, weird year for the PNW, weeks of snow and continuous below freezing temps for weeks, now temps in the 90-100F range with lows not dropping below 70F. Seems you guys are getting more continental up there.

We are having very mild temps in Santa Cruz, typical 70's to low 80's with nights in the upper 40's to low 50's. Our frost peaches are over, picked the last one yesterday.

Enjoy the peaches, as you eat them, you will realize how valuable edibles are, your peaches will be so much better than anything you can buy at the store, and you don't have to worry about cold Winters!

The above followup was added by Axel on July 27, 2009 at 12:02 am PST.

By Sunday it should cool down to 80F.
Can't wait to try those peaches, fresh and sweet. Thanks!

The above followup was added by Roger on July 27, 2009 at 1:17 pm PST.

Congrats on the peaches Roger, they look beautiful. This fall I'm finely going to replant the apricot I cut out a few years ago and plan to plant a peach too. I need to add more 'easy' fruits in my yard (so long lawn).

-Ethan

The above followup was added by Ethan-Bakersfield 9/9 on July 27, 2009 at 2:14 pm PST.

Peaches are considered hard to grow up here in the NW. Did you do anything special?
Thanks<
John

The above followup was added by John S on July 27, 2009 at 2:34 pm PST.

Yes, gentle squeeze and give, but for more ripeness, see if the fruit will come off easily by pulling or jiggling around in your hand.

I find when I go about gentle squeezing to check for ripeness, I can end up having bruises on my peaches from previous tests, when I finally do pick it.

David

The above followup was added by David Johnson, Waterford CA, zone 14 on July 27, 2009 at 3:33 pm PST.

David I will not man handle them! lol! I've heard the hand twisting works the best also, thanks!

John they are in full hot sun next to the street. I also have excellent drainage there (thanks to the city) so I added a bag of compost and have been deep watering by hand twice a week and more while its hot. All purpose fertilizer with trace elements. All organic!
Very easy variety to grow in pnw. No leaf curl so far.

The above followup was added by Roger in Olympia 8b on July 27, 2009 at 6:03 pm PST.