Home » At the Store » Fruit & Vegetables » When Does Nectarine Season Begin (and End)? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Uncured/No Nitrate Added Meats at Costco », How to Make Cinnamon Rolls in Small Space, Not Enough Time for Cinnamon Rolls to Rise. However, peach production makes up almost 3% of commercial Canadian fruit production while nectarines account for less than 0.5%. Nectarines are grown, harvested and processed the same way peaches are in Canada. The early varieties that come out I find to be more on the acidic side, with sweeter fruit coming later. Written by one or more of our Canadian Food Focus worker bees! Spray fixed copper to control peach leaf curl December 1 and February 1. Nectarines are grown all throughout the warm, mild regions of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. May 20, 2015 by Eric Samuelson Leave a Comment. For more information, see our privacy policy here. The nectarine originated in China and was taken to Persia and then on to Greece and Rome. When are Nectarines in Season? What this shows us is that there is more going on behind the scenes that many of us think about. Ripe nectarines are handpicked from the trees to prevent bruising and damage. Nectarines are grown, harvested and processed the same way peaches are in Canada. As with much of the fruit we eat in the United States, the story all begins in California. You may even be lucky enough to get Irish-grown fruit at farmers markets or small greengrocers where local growers may supply small quantities. Get the lowdown on when you can find sweet, tasty, nectarines at your grocery store or local farmer’s market. Learn how your comment data is processed. It is an all-yellow nectarine like a yellow mango. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. History. Nectarines are smooth and have a slightly firmer texture than peaches. The orchards race to be the first one to ship theirs before prices go down. The entire nectarine season is short, only four to six weeks. None from Georgia or South Carolina. Of course, weather changes, season variations, variety of a crop planted and other factors profoundly affect the dates, so this is a general guide only. When Does Nectarine Season Begin (and End)? Store at room temperature. You can unsubscribe at any time by emailing info@canadianfoodfocus.org, or by using the UNSUBSCRIBE link provided in every email. The much sought after California nectarines are annually available between late April and late August. Eating what’s in season is my jam (I also make it! Current Facts White nectarines, botanical name, Prunus persica nucipersica, are a stone fruit and species within the genus, Prunus, alongside cherries, apricots, plums and almonds. With an exceptional, sweet flavor, Chilean nectarines are available in numerous varieties from Bright Pearl to August Red. Peaches, plums, pluots, and nectarines, June through Sept; Pears, August through November; Pomegranates, October into December Nectarines are a source of Vitamins A and C, and potassium. Nectarines are the … It’s one of the best early season pieces of stone fruit, with good flavor and good balance of sweetness and tartness. Winter Dormant Season. They will have a sweet, fruity scent. ), Copyright © 2020 Eat Like No One Else on the Foodie Pro Theme. Here is a handy infographic for you to help guide you through the season. Nectarines are a mutation of the peach family that developed naturally and has since been commercialized and propagated by fruit growers. BC Nectarines are in season and available until mid September! You can keep firm nectarines at room temperature for a day or two or put them in the refrigerator. Not all the fruit on a tree will ripen at the same time and so workers will harvest the tree multiple times over the course of a few weeks each season. I just love their tangy, juicy flavor (and the lack of fuzz on the skin). An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients. At this time, the cherries in Washington will be ready. New Zealand nectarines are available from January to March. Ripe nectarines should be plump and firm with smooth skin. Ripe nectarines are handpicked from the trees to prevent bruising and damage. They have very similar flavors, so the easiest way to distinguish a nectarine is by its skin. Learn more about the domestication, cultivation, and types of nectarines. In season: December-March It’s worth searching out for something different, especially if you are a nectarine fanatic. The season begins in early May (sometimes late April). Kingsburg Orchard’s (Kingsburg, California) first nectarine of the season is their Ruby Fire variety that is … Nectarines History Fresh nectarines will keep in the refrigerator for a week. The Zee Fire nectarine is also as prime example of what happens when a new variety doesn’t have a good plan. European peaches and nectarines, mainly from Italy, are in season now and easily available in greengrocers and supermarkets. What do I mean? One of my favorite varieties of the season is actually from Washington – the Nectafire, which is a donut or flat nectarine that is just packed with rich nectarine flavor. Facts These charts cover Washington State. It’s not like they don’t like the flavor of the peach, it’s the fuzz on the outside that is giving them troubles. Everyone planted it, so within 8 years the value of this variety plummeted. You will not be disappointed. nectarines: Spring: Summer: Autumn: Winter: oranges (valencia) Spring: Summer: Autumn: Winter: oranges (navel) Spring: Summer: Autumn: Winter: peaches: Spring: Summer: Autumn: Winter: pears: … The nectarine history runs parallel with the peach. Hi! Nectarine, smooth-skinned peach that is grown throughout the warmer temperate regions of both hemispheres. In season: January-Novemeber. They start in the Pasco/Mattawa area and move north to Chel… Peaches and nectarines are almost genetically identical fruit, only differing by a recessive gene. The frozen fruit will keep for 6 months. In most grocery stores across the country, the only nectarines you are going to see are California – they dominate the commercial nectarine market. This nectarine was released in 2003. I bought them last year on June 14th – so look for them in early to mid June at your local Trader Joe’s. White nectarines are available during the summer months. However, peach production makes up almost 3% of commercial Canadian fruit production while nectarines account for less than 0.5%. They do well in most of California if given the proper growing conditions. Spray trees with dormant oil to control San Jose scale. And prices this season should be just about the same as last year. Nectarines are such a heavenly refreshment on a hot summer day. This usually begins around the end of April. Fresh nectarines are one of the highlights of the summer stone fruits and are available from late April until late August, however a certain variety, Chilean Nectarines, are available from December to March. Australian nectarines are available between October and April. Nectarines will work well in recipes that call for peaches so try them in pies, cakes, crisps, cobblers and puddings. How could someone not like a peach? Avoid nectarines that are bruised or mushy. Handle all fresh produce with care and wash before eating. From there, the harvest moves north to the Stockton/Modesto area. It has an unique flavor that kind of reminds me of a mango with it’s finish, but still tastes like a nectarine. What’s in season: There’s not too much of a difference between peaches and nectarines, aside from the outer texture of the fruit – fuzzy versus smooth – as the two are so closely related. While I like pretty much everything, there are those that have trouble with say, peaches. When it comes to stone fruit, people have their preferences. Depending on where they are grown, peaches and nectarines might be freshly available all summer long, but June through the beginning of September are the most robust months for these fruits to be in season. If you would like to peel them prior to freezing, immerse them in boiling water for a minute and peel off the skin once the fruit is cool enough to handle. Give nectarines a quick rinse under cool running water just prior to eating.They are most often eaten raw with the skin, but they are also good sliced as a topping for cereal, yogurt, pancakes or ice cream. Peaches, plums, and my current favorite – nectarines. *When eaten as part of a … No, these are not a combination of a mango and a nectarine – it’s just a marketing name. One large nectarine has less than 70 calories, with 14% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C in a large piece of fruit. I’m Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. Hard nectarines may need to finish ripening. Niagara Peninsula Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association. You can find them (Jaemore Farms in Georgia grows them but most likely they don’t go much further than the borders of those states.). And it effects both selection and the price we pay at the grocery store. Knowing exactly when to pick a nectarine isn’t as simple as looking at the calendar. The season begins in early May (sometimes late April). Nectarines are a stone fruit, which is also called a Drue. Peaches and nectarines grow really well in the cooler areas of Australia, as they need a nice mild climate, and a cold winter. The California season wraps up at the beginning of September. On occasion I have seen Washington grown nectarines. I’m a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Tree spacing should be about 8 to 12 ft. apart. It is sweet, flavorful, and not too acidic. Smith said Watsonia started harvesting nectarines in mid-May. Filed Under: Fruit & Vegetables Tagged With: California Nectarines, Flat Nectarine, Nectarine, Washington Nectarines, Yellow Nectarine. Nectarine harvest season runs anywhere from midsummer to mid-autumn, depending upon the cultivar and USDA growing zone. For fruit consumers, that downsizing still translates to an expected harvest of about 325 million pounds of nectarines. The earlier dates are more applicable to southwest Washington and the later dates for more northerly or colder areas. I do buy Michigan grown nectarines at my local farmer’s market, but most orchards here seem to stick to just growing peaches and not nectarines. One medium-sized nectarine has 67 calories. Today I wanted to take a moment to focus in on nectarine season – when does it start, when does it end, and what are some of the best varieties to look out for it. Ripe nectarines can be peeled, sliced and frozen in a single layer on a cookie sheet before being transferred to a resealable freezer bag. They should give slightly to fingertip pressure, especially along the seam. You can find nectarines through the early part of the fall but they will be in smaller supplies and a lot of them are not worth it – too mealy! Trader Joe’s sells their peaches and nectarines in a cardboard crates. Copyright © 2020 Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan. This is a commercial variety of nectarine that you rarely seen mentioned on a store sign, but you can kind of predict it’s arrival when nectarine displays grow larger and the prices gets cheaper. Kingsburg Orchard’s (Kingsburg, California) first nectarine of the season is their Ruby Fire variety that is available around on April 26th. Please note that actual dates may vary by as much as two week or three due to weather conditions, variety of the fruit or vegetable, geographical location of the farm, and other factors. You'll need to eat them within two or three days. Heirloom navel: Like the name suggests, this is the navel that made the citrus industry an industry in California. Nectarines contain vitamin C to help support healthy immune function*, as well as potassium and fibre. However from the months of December to March you will find Chilean Nectarines in the market. I found these at Whole Foods Market last year during the month of July. You should always avoid buying green nectarines that have not matured thoroughly. Ways to Enjoy Nectarine Season Nectarines have a smooth skin, juicy flesh, delicate aroma and sweet-tart flavor. ... Winter Dormant Season. Nectarines (like peaches) are self-fruitful and do not require a pollenizer tree. Calendar of Backyard Gardening Operations for Nectarines. By early June, the harvest comes to an end in California. Trees were easy to come by and everyone was planting it – like I said it’s a flavorful variety and it’s productive and pretty. Just imagine the cold, fresh juice dripping down your chin as you take that first delicious bite. Nectarines are just fuzzless peaches. I already mentioned the donut nectarine called Nectafire (seen in the photo above) that is a must have, but there are a couple others you should be on the look out for. The harvest begins in southern California, in Bakersfield. And unlike the standard navel orange, which you will find in grocery stores year round, the heirloom is available only in the winter and early spring months. Are Peaches and Nectarines Nutritious? Try nectarines with rice, chicken, fish, in sandwiches, salads or as a base for chutney. Their flavour and colour are similar but their size is generally smaller than a peach and of course they don’t have fuzzy skin. The earliest cherry variety is the Brooks cherry, which is a cross between a Rainier and a Bing. And now is the time to experiment with them in salads, salsas, grain dishes, appetizers, desserts, dips, sauces, and beverages! One of my favorites to watch for is the Honey Fire variety. If you live in an area that is prone to late frosts, consider protecting your peaches and nectarines with shadecloth or similar, as these late/spring frosts can severely damage the flowers (and negatively impact yield). Any place that grows peaches most likely as grows their smoother cousins. Peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, and apricots—here’s your guide to picking and preparing all the best summer stone fruits.. Summer brings a lot of things; lawless children with waaaay too much time on their hands, sweet sunsets caked in SPF 80, and a whole lot of stone fruit. What's in season in December 2020, and other timely information: Ripening Dates for Fruits and Vegetables. I have never seen a southern nectarine here in Michigan. Choose fruits that have smooth skin and are firm to the touch, but not too hard. Fresh nectarines are best in the summer months. When you head to the grocery store chances are pretty good that the nectarines you find will be California grown. The variety name is printed on the side of these crates so you can actually see what variety you are buying. In addition, 9% of the DV of potassium is provided by one large nectarine. California is definitely dominant in the nectarine category. You can read more about this on the Good Fruit Grower website. Nectarines are commonly eaten fresh or cooked in conserves, jams, and pies. Kingsburg Orchards’ last variety of the season is called Orange Honey Heirloom and it’s available around September 2nd. Summer is the season of stone fruits. Available in both a 2L and 3L offering. Storage and Handling. Place them in a paper bag left at room temperature, out of direct sunlight for 2-4 days. The season really gets going with the variety “Zee Fire” which is ripe in mid to late May. Nutrition. When you head to the grocery store chances are pretty good that the nectarines you find will be California grown. Canadian crop is available: July mid-SeptemberGrown in: The southern interior of British Columbia and southern Ontario. You’ll find them in the grocery stores between May and October, but they’ll probably show … For a day or two or put them in pies, cakes, crisps, cobblers and.! Dormant oil to control when are nectarines in season leaf curl December 1 and February 1 chin as you take that first delicious.! Six weeks a heavenly refreshment on a hot summer day Foods market last year during the of. Washington will be ready that come out i find to be more on the skin ) variety doesn t... 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