Peaches are ripe for the picking
In 2006, Virginia produced 4,000 tons of peaches, valued at more than $3 million, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. And this year’s harvest, which will end around Labor Day, is expected to top 4,200 tons.
"So far it’s been a really good season," said Cynthia Chiles, whose family owns Chiles Peach Orchard in Albemarle County. "We had some rain, and it was a nice cool spring without the freezes like last year."
Pick your own orchards
Rappahannock County
High Places Orchards - 121 Winesap Lane, Flint Hill-Huntly. Phone: 540-635-5537. Directions: From Front Royal, follow Route 522 eight miles south, turn left on Route 662 east and go a half-mile, then turn left on Winesap Lane and follow it to the orchards. Open: Monday through Saturday dawn to dusk, Sundays noon to dusk.
Muskrat Haven. Strawberries, blueberries, thornless blackberries, red raspberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, vegetables. On Route 211, four miles west of Amissville. Phone: 540-937-5892 or 540-937-5891.
Albemarle County
Chiles Peach Orchard and Farm Market – 1351 Greenwood Road. Phone: 434-823-1583. Email: Cynthia@ChilesPeachOrchard.com. Directions: From Charlottesville, I-64 west to Exit 107 (Crozet). Turn left onto Route 250 West. Go one mile, turn right onto Greenwood Station Road (Route 690). Go one mile, turn right onto Greenwood Road (Route 691). Chiles is on the right. Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. And Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Orange County
Honey Hill Orchards - 30391 Catharpin Rd, Mine Run: 540-854-5941. Email: honeyhill@vabb.com Directions: Honey Hill Orchards are located 15 miles south of Culpeper. Open six days a week 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Cash, Check. All fruit trees are semi-dwarf and less than 10 feet tall. Ladders are never needed for picking.