Elberta used to be the "Queen of Peaches" before Redhaven was developed, but many still think it is. It still is an excellent quality, juicy, yellow freestone peach suitable for all uses. In California it ripens in late July to early August, but in the east it is much later, ripening more in late August to early September. Still, it is an excellent choice for the backyard fruit grower who doesn't care so much about how "pretty" the fruit is, but is interested in sweet, juicy, full flavored fruit.

Elberta is an old heritage or heirloom variety that originated in the 1870's in Georgia as a seedling of Chinese Cling. It is still grown as a commercial peach in some areas, but now has been replaced by redder, prettier peaches. In Grandpa's "grandpa's" day, the Michigan peach industry of the late 1890s was based on the Elberta peach and millions of trees produced millions of tons of fruit that was shipped across the lake by boat to Chicago. A terrible winter in the early 1900s wiped out the huge peach industry in Michigan and growers lost millions of trees. It hasn't quite been the same since!

Almost all peaches are self-fertile and require no pollinators. They will set heavy crops on single trees, which need heavy and aggressive thinning early in the season for best fruit size. Maintain good vigor in peaches by pruning every year, and fertilizing moderately. Aim for 1-3 feet of new growth a year. Fertilize early in the season, so that growth is well hardened off before fall and winter cold weather.

Height

10-14

Spread

8-12

Zone

5-8

Color

Golden yellow

Categories

On Sale! End of Season, 

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