2023 Estimated Fruit Ripening Schedule

Peaches, Donut Peaches and Nectarines

Peaches (Yellow)*

Available mid-June to end of September

Rich May – June 2 (Clingstone)

Our first peach of the season that is the official start of Summer for us at Saunders Brothers! Also known as Flavorich. Rich May tends to have an overall deep red blush skin with some red pigmentation in the center. The wonderful flavor will have you ready for many more tasty peaches all summer long!  

Early Redhaven – June 5 (Clingstone)

This early season variety satisfies our taste buds as we’re anxiously awaiting the wonderful Redhaven to ripen in just a few weeks! 

Sweet Scarlet – July 7 (Semi-Freestone)

Sweet Scarlet is unique in that it is a low acid, yellow flesh variety. The low acid is more typical of the white flesh varieties. Sweet with high, red color. 

Redhaven – July 15

One of our first true freestones of the season! A medium to large size peach with burgundy colored skin. Going back to the mid-1900s, this has been a favorite of Saunders Brothers for it’s later bloom date and cold hardiness, thus making it a reliable cropper for our customers year after year.  

John Boy – July 23 (Semi-Freestone)

This is a large peach with a bright red blush. John Boy is a fan favorite peach, due to its size and its juicy, sweet flavor.  

Maybelle – July 25

This beautiful, large peach is full of flavor! The name comes from one of our beloved former employees, Maybelle Schmidt. Maybelle started work at Saunders Brothers full time, following the apple packing season of March 1984, to then retire 29 years later.  

Loring – August 3

This large, sweet, firm peach makes an excellent choice for canning! You can fill up your jars quickly with the large slices. 

Blake – August 10

Blake is one of our most popular varieties with a bright red colored flesh surrounding the pit. The fruit is exceptional for both fresh eating and freezing. When fully ripe and a bit soft, it has reached full sweetness and is an amazing summer snack. It’s a family favorite as a frozen peach in the dead of winter, as we dream about hot summer days on a porch full of peaches.  

Encore – August 16

Appropriately named as we never want peach season to end at Saunders Brothers! Medium sized fruit with a firm texture and a mild peach flavor. Encore is commonly used for fresh eating. 

Laurol – August 19

This is a medium to large sized peach with a deep red blush over a pale green background when ripe.  

Big Red – August 22

Just like the name says, this is a beautiful big peach with a red pit. Fruit averages 3”+ in size. Normal tanginess of a good yellow peach.  

Mr. Carson – August 23

Attractive and large mid to late season peach with excellent firmness and quality. This peach is named after Mr. Hubert Carson who worked here at the retail market for over 20 years. Mr. Carson’s outstanding Christian values and ability to connect with people made a warm welcome to any and all customers on the porch. He would ensure all customers had a positive shopping experience and left with their hands full of tasty fruit each visit throughout the season.  

Victoria – August 25

An introduction from Rutgers University in New Jersey. This a large fruit with red blush over a yellow background. After years of peach trials on the farm, we have found outstanding fruit qualities out of this late season variety.  

Last Chance – September 11

Appropriately named peach season as peach season is winding down. A great medium sized fruit with traditional yellow peach flavor! The last yellow flesh peach of the season. Excellent flavor with low acid. ‘Til next year peach lovers! The last yellow flesh peach of the season. Excellent flavor with low acid. ‘Til next year peach lovers! 

Sweet September – September 29

The last yellow flesh peach of the season. Excellent flavor with low acid. ‘Til next year peach lovers! 

Peaches (White)

Spring Snow – June 2 (Clingstone)

Starting the season for white peaches! Firm flesh with sub acid flavor and sweet. 

Sugar May – June 20 (Clingstone)

A medium to large fruit size with a deep red blush. Less fuzz than other varieties. Sweet and aromatic with firm flesh.

Scarlet Pearl – July 1 (Clingstone)

A small to medium size fruit with 50-70% pinkish red blush. Best for the season to follow Sugar May.  

Southern Pearl – July 9 (Semi-Freestone)

Averages between 2.75-3”. It differs from other white peaches in that it has acidity levels, similar to those of a traditional yellow peach which give it some tanginess. A really nice aroma. Mix of sweet, tangy and juicy. 

White Lady – July 10

A sweet, sub acid peach. Averages between 2.75-3” in diameter. Nice uniform round shape. Can be eaten firm in a crunchy stage or can be left on the counter to get soft.  

Sugar Giant – July 28

A wonderful, very large, subacid fruit. The low acidity makes the flavor sweet like honey! Averages greater than 3.5” in diameter. Could be considered a meal by itself with the size.  

Snow King – August 15

This large white, sub acid peach is very firm. It fills the gap between Sugar Giant and Snow Giant.  

Snow Giant – August 19

The largest white peach offering that we have with some fruit exceeding 3.5”! The pleasant red skin blush lays over a creamy white background.  

September Snow – August 31

Fruit is medium to large and very attractive.  

Snowball – September 10

Ending on a tasty high note with the last white peach of the season as the leaves start turning color! 

Donut Peaches

Saturn - July 8

A small sized “donut” peach, otherwise known as a flat peach. A wonderful, sweet summer snack that has tender flesh when ripe.  

Nectarines

Honey Blaze – July 9 (Yellow Clingstone)

Yellow nectarine that holds an attractive blazing red color. Not really an acidic taste like a peach. Firm when ready to eat. 

Summer Beauty – July 18 (Yellow Semi-Freestone)

Medium sized fruit with a reddish yellow blush. Firm and good acidic flavor.  

Arctic Jay – July 30 (White Freestone))

Medium sized white nectarine that holds a rich flavor with a good balance of acid to sugar.  

SunGlo – August 6 (Yellow Freestone)

Some call it the “Queen of Nectarines”! A beautiful red blush overlays a golden background color on this yellow nectarine. The traditional yellow peach flavor will have your taste buds craving for more! 

Fantasia – August 14 (Yellow Freestone)

Medium to large yellow nectarine with a glossy finish. Attractive color and excellent flavor! 

Zephyr – August 20 (White Freestone)

Large white nectarine with desirable flavor. The last white nectarine of the season. While fruit finish may not be quite as pretty as our other nectarines the flavor will easily compensate! Some customers claim this as their favorite white nectarine of the season! 

Surprise – September 4 (Yellow Clingstone)

This medium sized yellow nectarine came to Saunders Brothers as a surprise! We had these trees bearing beautiful yellow nectarines in a peach block we had planted. They were accidentally mixed in. We then dug and replanted them all together. They are the latest yellow nectarine we produce and a fan favorite with exceptional flavor.  

Apples

Available late June-December (close)

Sweet MAIA - July 20 (Fresh Eating, Salads)

Honeycrisp x Winecrisp cross. Bright, attractive red coloring with a sweet and crisp bite! Great for a summer snack with the smaller fruit size. 

Gala – August 15 (Fresh Eating, Salads)

Discovered in New Zealand circa 1934. Mildly sweet flavor with hints of vanilla. A smaller sized, snack apple that’s great for the kids!  

Summerset - August 18 (Fresh Eating, Salads)

Fuji x Honeycrisp cross. Large apple that ripens towards the end of summer, hence the name. Similar texture to Honeycrisp with a tangier flavor. A great, refreshing apple that pairs well with a fresh salad. 

Honeycrisp – August 22 (Fresh Eating, Salads, Cooking)

Keepsake x MN1627 cross from University of Minnesota. A common favorite among apple lovers. Sweet like honey and super crispy! Large cells lead to a juicier bite. 

Jonagold – September 5 (Fresh Eating, Cooking)

Golden Delicious x Jonathan cross. Found in Geneva, New York. Large, all purpose apple. Honey-like flavor notes and juicy! Phenomenal cooking apple. 

Ambrosia – September 16 (Fresh Eating)

The Ambrosia name comes from Greek mythology, known as “food of the Gods”. Found in 1987 as a chance seedling in a Red Delicious orchard in British Columbia. A sweet, honey like flavor with floral notes. This variety has low acidity, meaning that it will not brown easily.  

Crimson Crisp – September 19 (Fresh Eating)

Beautiful crimson red color with a crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor. Stores well.  

Piney River Gold – September 20 (Fresh Eating, Salads, Cooking)

This is a unique variety to Saunders Brothers and hence why it’s named after our beloved “homeplace” of Piney River! A Golden Delicious cross with a blush. A sweet, spicy apple with a zap at the end! Good multipurpose, golden type apple. Keeps well.  

Rosalee - September 25 (Fresh Eating)

Honeycrisp x Fuji cross. Clean, floral taste with a desirable texture. 

Granny Smith - October 1 (Fresh Eating Salads, Cooking)

Discovered by Maria Ann (Granny) Smith of Australia in 1868 as a chance seedling. She found that the apple had unique characteristics all its own as a green, tart apple. While this apple certainly fulfills the tart taste buds of fresh eating, it is an exceptional cooking apple. Throw into your favorite apple pie recipe to draw your family and friends to the supper table! 

Stayman – October 10 (Fresh Eating Cooking)

Discovered in the 1860s by Dr. Joseph Stayman in Kansas. Grown in the orchards of Nelson County for over 100 years. Firm and crisp with a sweet-tart flavor. Good all purpose apple.  

Ludacrisp - October 11 (Fresh Eating)

Open pollinated Honeycrisp. A larger size fruit with sweet, tropical flavor that some say resembles Juicy Fruit gum! 

Evercrisp – October 12 (Fresh Eating)

Honeycrisp x Fuji cross. Appearance is similar to Fuji. A dense and sweet fruit with crispy texture. Excellent storability.  

Fuji – October 15 (Fresh Eating)

Born in the 1930s in Fujisaki, Japan. This bi-color fruit is sweet and juicy with a dull white flesh. One of the most popular apple varieties we grow.  

Goldrush – October 18 (Fresh Eating, Cooking, Cider)

Golden type apple that is crisp and holds a more tart flavor shortly after picking while sugars build in storage. Excellent keeping qualities. Good all purpose apple. 

Wild Twist – October 18 (Fresh Eating)

Honeycrisp x Cripp’s Pink cross. A sweet and crunchy bi color apple that will pop as you take a bite! A pinkish blush will build as the fall sun colors the fruit. Good storage capabilities. Central VA is the southern perimeter of where this variety is grown.  

Pink Lady – October 20 (Fresh Eating, Cooking)

Golden Delicious x Lady Williams cross. Originated in Australia. Sweet-tart flavor with good storage capabilities. A late ripening variety that ends the season on a high note! 

Asian Pears

Available August-October

Shinseiki – August 13 (Fresh Eating)

Medium sized fruit with little russet. Sweet and crispy with a yellow finish when fully ripe! 

Hosui – August 24 (Fresh Eating)

Fruit has a golden russet with pronounced lenticels. Sweet and juicy! 

Olympic – September 6 (Fresh Eating)

Fruit holds all the favorite characteristics of sweet, crisp, and juicy! Holds great in storage.