Everyone's Favorite Peach
Vol. 24 | Issue 07 | July 2026
O'HENRY, O'HENRY, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
Everyone's Favorite Peach
There are certain questions that we count on hearing summer after summer; Is it organic? (Yes, we are certified organic) Isn't it too early for peaches? (No, we grow over 50 varieties for a longer season) Is it sweet? (Are you really asking if it's flavorful?) Is it freestone? (Freestone season is mid-summer, but many semi-cling and clingstone peaches are really delicious) ............. and When do the O'Henrys get here? Now. Right now! We have over 100 trees of O'Henry peaches, and we just planted another 100 in the last few years. They are that popular. We could dedicate a whole orchard to just O'Henry and it still wouldn't be enough. What is so special about this peach? Several things, from the characteristics of the fruit itself to nostalgic memories. They were introduced in 1968 and quickly became famous for their dense, firm flesh that holds its shape with baking, canning, and eating fresh. O'Henry peaches have a very full, robust classic flavor—the perfect balance of sweetness with a hint of acid to really give it its unforgettable taste. Many have known that the arrival of the O'Henry signals that summer days and perfect peaches are coming to an end. I have memories of stealing perfect slices of juicy, sweet peaches ready to go into the pie, and I remember the sound of mason jars sealing up with that "pop," already looking forward to peach jam in the winter. Over the years, I have tried many different varieties of peaches, from super-sweet sub-acid fruit to tart and tangy. Some with rich maroon skin, others the color of a sunset. I learned that peaches are complex and unique. Trying new varieties and deciding what we want to grow is one of my favorite parts of my job. I dare to say there are a few that I actually prefer over O'Henry! But the O'Henry peach will be the one that brings forth memories of summer growing up on the farm. Watching the peaches carefully picked into wooden crates, riding in the big old 1952 Ford super truck with my dad, taking a load of O'Henry to the packing shed in Loomis.
Visiting the Farmstand
O'Henry peach season comes and goes really quickly, sometimes within a weekend. It all depends on how heavy the crop is and what days we are harvesting them. We won't hold varieties; if we are picking something on Monday or Tuesday, most likely it will be gone by the end of the week. We will be picking O'Henry this over these next several days. We will have them available off and on over the schedule. To make sure all of our customers have the best chance to try some, we are not taking pre-orders or pre-sales. Our hours at the orchard are 10-4 Thursday-Sunday. See you at the farmstand!
Planting the Future
Twin Peaks Orchards has gone through a major transformation since 2020, moving into the next phase of the landscape and environment of the farm. Under new leadership, the orchard became certified organic, becoming the largest organic tree fruit grower in Placer County. We have added seasonal crops like melons, summer and winter squash, vegetables and more, to diversify our crops, allowing us to navigate a drastically changing climate. Many of the fruit trees were older and producing less; we have added and replaced over 4,000 trees to increase production. We are starting to harvest from these young trees. We are sustainable. We are regenerative. We are organic. Our focus is on making the soil the richest and healthiest it has ever been. We were one of the first few farms in the US to be recognized as a Slow Food Farm, and have received many accolades from our peers in the farming community. Most importantly, we are making a difference in the local food system.
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