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EASTON, Conn. Tractors full of families chugged through the orchard at Silvermans Farm to pick red haven peaches Wednesday afternoon. In the orchard, the smell of peaches filled the air.
Each group carried paper bags to fill and Tammy Cobaugh from Shelton took a two-person bag for her fruit.
Im hoping I can fill it and carry it, said Cobaugh, who has been picking peaches since she was young and living in Pennsylvania. The peaches are tasty and fuzzy unlike at the store.
Cobaugh makes smoothies, cobblers and pie filling from Silvermans peaches and, of course, eats some just the way they are. For smoothies, Cobaugh mixes Greek yogurt, milk and sometimes honey with the peaches. She freezes slices and pie filling so she can have her fresh peaches during the winter, too.
Peaches are ready for picking starting after July 4, said Irv Silverman. The farm has 15 varieties with red havens ready for picking now.
You cant get em fresher, said Silverman. Buying locally grown peaches at Silvermans means reducing your carbon footprint by avoiding shipping, handling and trucking.
Silvermans peach trees are about 8 years old, said Irv Silverman. The orchard has 4,000 peach trees and more than 12,000 apple trees. To keep the peaches happy, each tree is pruned in the spring and before picking season to allow the sunshine to ripen the fruit. The trees are also hand-thinned, keeping the fruit 4 to 5 inches apart to make sure the peaches grow to a good size.
After stepping off the tractor, pickers are given directions from Jan including to not climb or shake the trees. Peaches should be twisted off the branches, not pulled, to avoid breaking the branches.
The redder the better, yellow is OK and green is mean dont pick the green ones, said Jan.
Peggy Twitchell and her kids Emily and Brian from New Canaan were picking and eating peaches Wednesday. Its fun to get out. The kids like the tractor ride, said Twitchell, who said she might try to make peach pie.
Fairfield residents Mike and James Bourque, and Maeve and Sam Soto were busy trying to find the perfect peach Wednesday. The group of kids comes to Silvermans Farm every year to pick peaches.
Silverman's Farm is located at 451 Sport Hill Road, and picking hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What's your favorite part about Silverman's Farm? Leave your comments in the box below.
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