Growing Tasty Peaches

Peaches, sweet and juicy picked from the tree, that’s summertime at Jackson’s orchard. We visit this family operation where proper site selection, soil prep, pest management and dependable varieties make for a plentiful harvest.

Gardener Extras

Jackson's Orchard used scented items such as habanero extract and soaps to deter deer. That only worked short term.
One of the most serious pests on peach trees is Plum curculio, a snout beetle that lays eggs within the fruit. Both adults and larvae feed on the fruit, causing brown rot.
Trap crops can be planted on the outer perimeter of an orchard to intercept stinkbugs and reduce damage to fruit. Sunflowers, tomatoes, squash, zucchini and green beans can be used as trap crops.
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) involves compiling detailed timely information about a crop and its pests to ensure that pest management decisions are economically, environmentally, and socially sound.
'Encore', a freestone peach, ripens in early September and bears medium to large firm fruit. It is cold hardy and resistant to bacterial leaf spot.

Gardener Notes

www.jacksonsorchard.com On Facebook and Instagram @jacksonsorchard

Jeff Poppen

Jeff says his parents loved growing plants on their Illinois farm, and he credits them for his passion for growing. He’s made his living growing the best organic vegetables he can. Jeff acknowledges he has learned through experience over four decades. He is also an avid student of old-time farming methods, the way folks grew stuff before all of the chemicals in farming. He is compelled to try and shorten the learning curve for other gardeners. Jeff adds, “My wish is that my love for growing organically inspires others.”