Ripe peaches are becoming increasingly available across South Carolina, from grocery stores to markets and roadside stands. The peach season has commenced, with growers optimistic about this year’s yield. Spencer McLeod, a fifth-generation farmer at McLeod Farms in McBee, mentioned, “If you love peaches, this is your year to get them. We’ll go all the way through September, so the end of August, and our best peaches are right in that July timeframe.” McLeod Farms, located in Chesterfield County, began harvesting peaches approximately two weeks ago, and the initial observations of the crop are positive. Despite weather challenges, the outlook for a successful peach season remains strong.
Statewide, the sentiment among peach growers is similarly positive. Sarah Scott, covering commercial fruit and vegetable crops for Clemson Cooperative Extension, confirmed, “We’ve got a great, full crop, so there should be plenty of peaches available.” This news is particularly welcome following the adverse impact of two freezes in March 2023, which significantly reduced the peach yield. Scott added, “This year, even though we were expected to have one of those later freeze events because we are in an El Niño year, we lucked out and we did not have any of those freeze events that were detrimental to the crop, so full crop this year.” The successful yield is crucial not only for growers but also for the state’s economy, as South Carolina is the second-largest peach producer in the United States, trailing only California.
Source: wmbfnews.com