Palisade peaches are ahead of schedule for the season; here’s why

DENVER ( KDVR ) – While this heat feels almost too hot to do anything, one part of Colorado is thriving. The state’s specialty Palisade peaches are growing quicker than usual due to the warm temperatures.

In April, peach season wasn’t looking as promising.

Sheri Taylor with Taylor Farm and Ranch told FOX31 in March that a small freeze affected the early varieties of fruit. Due to the early freeze, Taylor expected the crop to yield about 20-30% less than last year, as there weren’t any late freezes in 2023.

While Taylor still predicted a good season for peaches, those peaches were expected to pop up at the start of July.

However, after hot temperatures continued throughout the start of the summer, another farm noticed that the peaches are ahead of schedule.

FOX31’s news partner station KREX in Grand Junction spoke with the co-owner of Talbott Farms who recently confirmed two freezes that reduced the fruit load and compromised the quality.

Despite the spring freezes, the farm said that the heat spells helped the peaches and the crop is now about 10 to 14 days ahead of schedule.

“Heat is accelerating the development of crops. and especially in the case of stone fruits, peaches, in particular, they actually like the heat,” Bruce Talbot, manager of Talbott Farms, told KREX.

While the peaches faced a few challenges, they are expected to be ready sooner and Talbott said Grand Valley can expect to see peaches until September.

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