We begin picking Peaches around the middle of July and continue picking till the first of September.

Remember to call for picking conditions.

Getting near the end of the peach season.  Come get them before the season is over.

SUMMER  hours:

Sunday & Monday  9:00am - 6:00pm

Wednesday - Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm and

CLOSED Saturday,

Our self serve** hours will again be available this year.

Tuesday will be a self serve day this week*. Closed all day Saturday.

During self serve hours you must pick in pre-measured containers and it is best if you have been to

the farm during full service hours so you are familiar with picking locations.

If you come during self serve hours we will be working on the farm somewhere and you can either follow the written instruction, use the provided radio to contact us or beep your horn and we will try to come help you as quickly as possible.

**This is only recommended for those who pick here regularly and know where to find the best fruit on their own.

*Self service is NOT available on Saturda

Varieties available to pick.

Yellow Fleshed Peaches
Harbinger - mid July
Early Redhaven - mid July 
Garnet Beauty - late July
Brighton - late July
Harson - late JulySweethaven - late July
Harbrite - early August
Redhaven - early August
Harken - early August
Clayton - mid August
Cullinan - mid August
M. A. Blake - late August
Jayhaven - late August
Red Skin - early September
Harcrest - early September
Jefferson - early September

White Fleshed Peaches

Early White Giant - late July
White Lady - early August
Raritan Rose - early August
Mountain Rose - mid August
Wild Rose - late August

Nectarines

Junglo - late July
Sunglo - early August
Harko - early August
Flavortop - late August
Redgold - late August


Apricots

Deatrick - mid July
Hargrand - mid July

Plums

Methley - mid July
Santa Rosa - early August

Some Peach History

"Prunus persica," the scientific name of the peach, suggests that peaches came from Persia, but China is actually the peach's original home. Peaches were originally from an area near the city of Xian, China. They were first cultivated in China at least 3,000 years ago. Confucius wrote about "tao," a pretty way of saying peach, in the fifth century BC. The oval shape and coloring of the peach are depicted in early Chinese art. Considered a symbol of long life and immortality, peaches are found in paintings, the decoration of porcelain, and poetry. 

Peaches spread to Russia and Persia (present-day Iran) in 1500 BC, probably because Chinese traders dropped peach pits along their trade routes. Alexander the Great and his armies found the peaches in Persia and brought them to Greece. Most Europeans assumed that peaches came from Persia. Their production spread throughout Europe between 400 and 300 BC. 

The Spanish brought peaches to the New World in the 16th and 17th centuries, introducing them to the United States, Central and South America.

In the early 1800's, peaches began to be grown commercially in the United States and have been thriving ever since. Today, the peach is grown in at least 64 countries worldwide. The U.S. produces about 20% of the world's peaches. They are second in production to apples as an orchard fruit, with over 100 varieties to choose from. 

© 2009 George Hill Orchards
P.O. Box 1181
582 George Hill Road
Lancaster, MA 01523
Phone: (978) 365-4331
Directions to George Hill Orchards