It’s peach season and time for that juicy sweet fruit that reminds us summer is in full swing. There are no better peaches in Texas than in Fredericksburg, so much so that the slogan of the peach industry there is “Once you have a Fredericksburg peach, you’ll want one again and again.”
Fredericksburg, you ask? Home of Texas wine country and German food? Yes, Fredericksburg, which, as it turns out, is also the perfect environment for growing peaches. The sandy soil of the Pedernales river banks is ripe for peach growing, and you can absolutely taste the difference from what you will find in your local grocery store.
Plus, supporting local Texan farmers just feels good, especially when you hear their stories of family farms and generational knowledge that dates back centuries.
Duecker Orchards at Burg’s Corner is one of the oldest, starting as a co-op in the early 1950’s and evolving into a retail store that offers peach everything. Once you’ve bought some peaches and done some shopping, head to the counter at the back of the store where you can buy Blue Bell vanilla ice cream topped with their own heavenly, all-natural peach puree.
Jenschke Orchards opened as a roadside stand in the 1960’s and now grows 30 varieties of peaches open to the public for picking. Many families make an annual trek to Fredericksburg to pick peaches and enjoy their tasty goodness right off the tree. Over the years, Jenschke has added other seasonal fruits to their lineup, so you can pick fresh strawberries in the spring and blackberries and peaches in the summer, then take the kids through the corn maze in the fall, and even buy your Christmas tree from their farm come winter. Peach picking is so popular at the farm that the family has created an online reservation system to secure your spot. Once you arrive, the elder Jenschke takes you by tractor into the orchard, where you can pick as much as you like for $2.50 a pound!
Vogel Orchard was originally planted in 1953 and operated out of the Vogel home until 1972, when they opened the retail store still in operation today. It has 70 acres and 7,000 trees, and all peaches are picked by hand. In addition to its 34 varieties of peaches, Vogel sells a delicious peach cobbler that shouldn’t be missed.
Once you’ve tasted a peach that is ripe for the picking, you’ll have a hard time going back to the store-bought variety. So pack up the family and make a weekend of it, then come home and enjoy your bounty.
