How to Manage Pests

Harvesting and storing peaches and nectarines

Peaches and nectarines are generally tree ripened. Pick the fruit while it is still firm, not soft. The background color of the skin will change to a yellow or yellowish-white color. Sugar content and flavor is best when they are allowed to come almost to maturity on the tree. Taste to check if the fruit is ripe. However, to avoid pests in the fruit, it is best to harvest earlier and then ripen indoors in a brown paper bag or fruit ripening bowl.

To store peaches and nectarines, harvest when firm ripe and store in the refrigerator or other cool place for up to 2 weeks.

Clingstone or canning varieties are harvested when the fruit breaks away from the stem when picked. If canning freestone varieties, pick fruit hard ripe and allow to ripen indoors for a few days. This will make the skin easier to peel.

Ripe nectarines

Ripe peaches