Harvesting of peaches began this week in North Carolina. The season, which arrived up to two weeks earlier than normal, is expected to yield a full crop.Growers are anticipating good production, especially compared to last year's short crop. Last year's volume was hampered by over-thinning in some orchards, but several factors have led to what looks to be good volume this year, said Lindsay Deal, owner of Deal Orchards in Taylorsville, North Carolina.
"Following last year's short crop, we had much more bloom this spring," said Deal. "On top of that, we've had plenty of rain, so quality is good and we expect a full crop this year." That good production might be even more of a boon to growers as shortages elsewhere could lead to strong prices.
"Some states had orchards which were hurt by freezes, but here in Alexander County in North Carolina, we didn't have any damage," said Deal. "So market prices should be up some from last year due to shortages in other areas."
The season, which got underway 10 to 14 days early because of a warm spring, should stretch into September, and Deal hopes everything goes as well as it has gone so far.
"Everything so far has been working well," he said. "We've had plenty of rainfall, temperatures have been about right and it's jut been a good growing season."