It's official—peach season has kicked off in the Texas Hill Country, and this year, the juicy fruit is set for a bumper crop. According to Visit Fredericksburg TX, orchards in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County are seeing a surge in production, thanks to favorable weather conditions. This means peach aficionados can look forward to savoring more of the sweet treats through the typical season from mid-May to mid-August.
Local orchards around Fredericksburg and Stonewall are showcasing over 20 peach varieties along the renowned "Peach Highway" on U.S. Highway 290. Common sights are roadside stands spilling with fresh pickings, but they're not just to stopping at peaches. These stands offer an array of farm-fresh produce, including tomatoes and cantaloupes, plus peach-based products like jams and salsas. For those seeking specific locations, the Hill Country Fruit Council website is a one-stop resource with listings for around 14 roadside markets in Gillespie finds and details like hours and contact information.
In a nod to peach adoration, Fodor's Travel once proclaimed Fredericksburg one of the top ten towns with a fruit fixation. Restaurants in the area are capitalizing on the seasonal peach boom by folding local produce into their dishes, making the town a culinary hotspot for foodies and fruit lovers alike. As FOX San Antonio reports, Fredericksburg's long-standing German heritage further enhances the peachy excitement, with traditional cobblers and ice cream among the must-tries.
Don't miss out on the 63rd Annual Peach JAMboree in Stonewall on June 21-22, a traditional event featuring everything peach, from contests to live music and parades. This highlight of the season speaks to the region's reputation as the heart of Texas peach country, a title Stonewall has earned for delivering over a million bushels annually. And if you're thinking dessert, family-run orchards are dishing out homemade treats that are staple at many roadside markets, ensuring visitors leave with more than just fresh fruit.
The Fredericksburg Farmers Market also joins in the celebration, offering a vast selection of peaches and other local produce through August 15. With generations of families cultivating some of the finest peaches in the nation, Gillespie County’s tradition of excellence is within the kernel of the community. With the summer rolling in, there's no better time to bite into the bounty Texas has to offer.
