The summer fruit season starts in early December and lasts until the end of March. Our primary produce during this time is Stone Fruit, including peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums. Although our stone fruits are available throughout summer, supply is based on a staggered flow of different varieties, each lasting only a week or two.

We also grow a number of summer apple varieties including Summer Red, Akane and Gala, and summer pear varieties, including Williams and Sensation. All of our produce is available for sale in our Fruit Specialty Store, and remember, we welcome you to come in and try before you buy!

STONE FRUITS. Our speciality is stone fruit production, with a focus on peach and nectarine varieties. More than 50 different types of peaches and nectarines are harvested over the summer season (December to May).  We grow both white and yellow fleshed peaches and nectarines, which can be either "freestone" (where the flesh easily twists away from the stone) or "clingstone" (where the flesh clings to the stone). We also harvest a number of apricot and plum varieties. In season, all of this produce is available for purchase from our fruit specialty store.

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Peaches

Nectarines

Apricots

Plums

Cherries

 

Zee Sweet

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Peaches

The peach tree originated in China, where it is considered the tree of life. We produce a number of peach varieties to suit all tastes. From December we have the Crest series of yellow peaches, and from late December until February we have the Tatura and Lady series'. One of our most popular peaches is the Rich Lady, distinguished by its dark red velvety skin, apricot coloured flesh and exquisite flavour. Other favourites in the Lady series include Elegant Lady and Zee Lady. Some of our luscious white peaches include Anita, Barbara, Betty and Spring Lady.

---> Peach Recipes

Nectarines

Nectarines or "nectar of the gods" are a variety of peach. Nectarines usually have smooth, dark orange or red skin and tend to be smaller than peaches. They are ready to eat when they emit a sweet aroma and "give" a little when touched. Nectarines can also be enjoyed when they are slightly firm, particularly the Zee Sweet varieties.

 

One of our luscious nectarine varieties is the white fleshed Queen Giant, available around Christmas time. It is followed on by the Zee Sweet Arctic series. Other favourite nectarines include the juicy, yellow fleshed Tasty Gold, Venus and Red Top varieties. Also very popular is the late season nectarine Lizzies Late.

---> Nectarine Recipes

Apricots

In general, Australian apricots are yellow / orange in colour. They have a superb sweet flavour and a firmer flesh than varieties grown in Asia.

 

Our apricots are available from December until mid January, with the peak season in December. We grow a number of different types of apricots and are currently trialing several new varieties in order to lengthen the season. 

 

Popular types include Castlebrite, Divinity and Katy. These are followed on by the Rival apricots, which have a red blushed skin and are available from early December. The paler Trevatt and Hunter apricots follow these.

Plums

There are three different types of plums  - Japanese plums, European plums and Prunes. As with other fruits, plums can vary in colour, shape and size depending of the variety.

 

Blood plums are a favourite; some of the many blood plums available in January and February include Formosa, Santa Rosa, Mariposa and Satsuma. Friar and Black Amber black plums are also very popular, these have a black skin with yellow flesh and are very sweet.

 

Some of the more traditional favourite plums include Angelina and King Billy. One of our most popular plums is Autumn Giant, which is picked in May. It is quite large and has yellow and red tinged flesh, and a gorgeous flavour.

 

---> Plum Recipes

 

 

Cherries

Cherries are available in Australia from mid- November to January, but are at their peak in December. They range in colour from almost white (Napoleons), to a red-tinged creamy yellow, to almost black.

 

Burgsdorf, the first cherry for the season, is a sweet, light red skinned variety. Others, such as Merchant and Ron's Seedling have a very dark red skin and firm, sweet flesh. Additional popular cherry varieties include Summit, Van and Salma and Lapan.

Interestingly, the first box of cherries of the season is auctioned at the Melbourne Market, often raising as much as $AU20,000 for charity.