New types of peaches are allowing farmers to start the peach season earlier, get more fruit into more homes faster and give people new produce to sink their teeth into. Thanks to new varieties such as early blush and rising sun, Kai Wiens, a Niagara-on-the-Lake tender fruit farmer, was among those who harvested tasty peaches as early as July 5 this year; his earliest harvest ever.
Sarah Marshall, board chair of Ontario Tender Fruit, said July 5 is even earlier than when the golden plums are ready, “which is typically thought to be the first thing that really gets harvested.” Ontario Tender Fruit works with the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, which breeds new tender fruit varieties, to bring new varieties to Ontario farmers.
Source: niagaranow.com