{"id":21416,"date":"2017-09-05T14:40:24","date_gmt":"2017-09-05T18:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=21416"},"modified":"2017-09-05T14:55:43","modified_gmt":"2017-09-05T18:55:43","slug":"late-summer-means-lots-of-maryland-grown-peaches-and-apples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2017\/09\/05\/late-summer-means-lots-of-maryland-grown-peaches-and-apples\/","title":{"rendered":"Late Summer Means Lots of Maryland-Grown Peaches and Apples"},"content":{"rendered":"

#GetyourFRESHon with late season produce<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Credit: Edwin Remsberg<\/p><\/div>\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Sept. 5, 2017)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Marylanders are encouraged to look for all the fresh, local produce available at farmers markets, farmstands and grocery stores as summer winds down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe markets are filled with most of the summer crops and now the fall crops are coming in as well,\u201d said Secretary of Agriculture Joe Bartenfelder. \u201cThat means late melons are joined by early apples, while the tomatoes keep producing and sweet corn is still available.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the Aug. 27 Crop Progress and Condition report from the Maryland office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, about 25 percent of the state peach crop has yet to be picked, and apples are 30 percent harvested now.\u00a0 The apples are rated 91 percent good to excellent in quality at this point. USDA also projects an increase in the peach and apple crops this year. The peach crop is expected to be 7.8 million pounds, and the apple crop is expected to be 46 million pounds\u2014up from 38.4 million pounds in 2016.<\/p>\n

The early varieties of apples in Maryland include Rambos, Ginger Golds, Galas and Honey Crisps. Later in September, producers will begin harvesting Red and Gold Delicious, Crispins and Empires. Look for them to be firm when you\u2019re picking out the freshest.<\/p>\n

Here are some things to remember about Maryland peaches. First, a tasty ripe peach is soft to the touch, blemish free, and has a sweet, fragrant aroma. Second, Refrigeration will extend the life of peaches for 1 or 2 days. The ideal temperature for ripe peaches is 33 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n

There are three basic types of peaches:<\/p>\n