Sweet, tangy, and juicy, nectarines are summertime favorites. Contrary to popular belief, yellow nectarines are not a hybrid fruit. Instead, they are peaches that lack the gene for fuzz! Occasionally, a yellow nectarine can be spotted growing naturally on one of our peach trees. Though they're peaches in disguise, nectarines are regarded commercially as different fruits, and the lack of fuzz can make for a very different eating experience. As with peaches, nectarines can be white or yellow, clingstone or freestone. On average, they're slightly smaller and sweeter than their cousins and their lack of fuzz can make their skin appear more reddish. The nectarine's deeper, sometimes almost purple coloration, contributed to a mistaken belief that they are hybrids of peaches and plums. We grow seven yellow-fleshed varieties and two white-fleshed varieties of nectarines. Our Tree Team picks each one by hand, and these fruits are harvested at the peak of nectarine season, which typically falls between mid-June and early September. Summer is the season for nectarines, which makes them a great snack for all kinds of outdoor activities as well as lazy days at home!
