http://66.225.205.104/SG20100630.mp3
South Carolina peach growers are in the middle of what they say is their best harvest in years. 2010 started out perfectly for South Carolina's peach orchards. Temperatures were just right and rain was plentiful. As a result, Andy Rollins with the Clemson University Extension Service says those who love the fuzzy fruit are getting ready to enter the sweet spot of the summer. "We have many different varieties that are starting to come on," Rollins says. "Some of which are actually the freestone peaches, which are typically the better tasting peaches of the year." South Carolina is the nation's second largest peach producer behind California. And Rollins says it's shaping up to be a the best harvest in years. That means, three straight months of fresh, locally grown peaches. He says around 40 varieties are grown in the Upstate alone. "Although all of them bloom approximately within the same short time span. . . the early peaches develop very quickly," Rollins says. "But then some of them hang on the tree and ripen very, very late. So your peak time is determined by which variety you like best." The bumper crop comes three years after there was virtually no local crop. A hard freeze on Easter morning 2007 decimated Upstate orchards. Now the recent hot, dry weather is starting to concern growers like Ron Edwards, with Springs Farms near Fort Mill. "Everything, from strawberries on to peaches, anything that's growing got used to all that water, sunshine," Edwards says. "Then all of a sudden the water stopped and turned to 90 degree days, 100 degree days, you know, like we've had. And the fruit has really taken a toll because they need water." Edwards says the dry weather affects peaches that are fattening on trees now. He says if the region doesn't get several days worth of rain soon, then peaches that'll be harvested later this summer will be noticeably smaller. To help his trees get through the dry spell, Edwards is running pipe from nearby ponds to irrigate his orchards. The good news is that Edwards doesn't feel like the unusually hot month of June has done irreparable harm to his crop. "But it's always nice to get a rain shower," Edwards notes. "Always nice for an afternoon shower because, like I say, that's what sizes up that fruit."