GLASSBORO, NJ — Since first planted in the 1600s, peach trees have thrived in New Jersey's ideal soil and climate, yielding extraordinary fruit to the benefit of both growers and consumers. According to Santo John Maccherone, chair of the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, he and other grower-directors of the council have seen a renaissance in the peach industry with increased planting of peach trees.
"Planting more trees is a healthy sign for the New Jersey peach industry said Maccherone who has increased his own plantings of yellow- and white-fleshed peaches and nectarines on his Circle M Farms in Salem.
This spring has seen large new plantings, especially in Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland Counties. Among those growers planting new trees are Holtzhauser Farms and Heilig Orchards in Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, a large planting in Cumberland County, Melick's Town Farm in Oldwick, Hunterdon County; Donaldson Farms in Hackettstown, Warren County; and Terhune Orchards in Princeton, Mercer County.
"With a trend toward increased prices, there will be a corresponding increase in tree planting," said Maccherone. According to data collected by the New Jersey Agricultural Statistics Service, the 2012 season average price was 66-cents per pound, 5-cents per pound higher than the previous year.
Jerry Frecon, Rutgers professor emeritus and a former agricultural agent specializing in fruit, said, "We see some definite positive changes in our peach industry, as acreage has recently increased to meet the demand for tree-ripened locally grown Jersey fresh peaches."
Frecon said many new plantings are designed to extend the season by a couple weeks both early and late, from late June through the end of September. "Over the past 20 years we have seen an increase in the types and varieties of peaches we can plant because of global warming. We just don't have the cold winters we used to, which enables growers to worry less about buds freezing and allows for growing some high-quality bud-tender varieties. We can grow novel varieties, low acid peaches and white and yellow- fleshed nectarines."
According to US Department of Agriculture statistics, the growing season thus far has been behaving well for peaches, unlike the 2012 season, when high temperatures in February forced an early bloom in April. High winds and rain storms also hit a few orchards, reducing the crop. The early season bloom and subsequent warm weather produced peaches earlier than usual and the season finished early as well. Nonetheless, the 2012 season produced some of the best and sweetest peaches in several years. Overall 2012 production totaled 30,000 tons; value of utilized production was $39.6 million.
For further information, email the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council information office, info@jerseypeaches.com; or visit the website www.jerseypeaches.com and find jersey peaches on facebook.
The New Jersey Peach Promotional Council is a non-profit voluntary organization of growers, shippers, wholesalers and associated industries dedicated to maintaining a viable peach industry in the Garden State for the purpose of preserving farmers and farmland; and to providing the highest quality and best tasting fresh peaches for consumers. New Jersey is the fourth largest peach producing state in the country.
Source: The New Jersey Peach Promotional Council
