Stone Fruits: True Gems of Summer

Whether you’re looking forward to making pies and cobblers or just enjoying your apricots, nectarines, peaches, or plums right off the tree, stone fruits are a delicious, versatile summer treat. Make sure you get the fruit with the best flavor and texture by knowing when to harvest each variety.

How do you know when stone fruits are ready to pick?

The type of fruit and the climate in your area play a big factor in harvest times, but in general, stone fruits begin to ripen anywhere from late spring to mid-summer. While each fruit has its own indications for when it’s ready to harvest—especially when it comes to judging the optimal color—there are a few guidelines that apply to all of them.

Each fruit should yield slightly to pressure when you gently squeeze it, but not be too soft. The texture of the skin should be smooth and taut, with no wrinkles or any shriveling. And when you attempt to pick the fruit it may give a little as you lightly pull it.

If possible, the best way to tell is through taste. If your stone fruit is sweet and juicy, with the flavor you love, then your timing is right. Since birds like ripe fruit just as much as we do, when you see them spending time in your fruit tree, that’s another clue that it may be time to harvest.

Apricots

• When apricots are ripe they’ll be plump and firm, with just a little give when squeezed.
• The color will change from green to a deep orange-gold color.
• Apricots will continue to ripen even after they’re picked if you leave them out at room temperature, but don’t pick them if they are still green or feel rock solid.
• Apricots are often ready to harvest starting in late June, though it depends on the variety and location.

Nectarines

• You’ll notice a slight give if you squeeze gently—especially around the stem.
• The color will change from green to yellow or cream and may have sugar spots or sunburn on the skin.
• Ripe nectarines will come loose from the tree if twisted slightly.
• Nectarines will continue to ripen after they’re picked, so if they aren’t ready, store them at room temperature until they’re ready before you refrigerate them.
• Nectarines may be ready to harvest as early as late spring, though it depends on the location.

Peaches

• When your peach is ready, a light squeeze will offer a little give.
• Ripe peaches are dark yellow with golden to reddish skin.
• Peaches become rounder and their fuzz gets more prominent as they ripen.
• Peaches also continue to ripen once they’re picked, so if you’re a day or two early, leave them out to reach peak flavor.
• Peaches are typically harvested starting in the end of June.

Plums

• Ripe plums will have a little give when gently squeezed and feel a little heavy for their size.
• Since plum varieties include a range of colors, you’ll want to look for the color of your specific cultivar, and even though greengage plums stay green, you’ll notice yellow highlights as they ripen.
• Many types of plums (and some grapes and blueberries) develop a “bloom” on their skin when they’re ripe, which looks like a white powdery substance.
• Plums are one of the later stone fruits, as they tend to ripen from late June or early July to September.

What’s the best way to pick apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums?

When your stone fruits are ripe, they should come away from the tree fairly easily. Just be sure to handle them gently so as not to bruise or puncture the skin of the fruit or damage the tree.

You may want to use both hands, so you can support the fruit and also gently twist it from the stem. If possible, pick in the morning. The temperature is typically cooler earlier in the day, which helps the fruit hold onto its firmness. Also, fruit tends to have higher moisture content in the morning, which makes it less prone to bruising or skin damage, and has higher sugar content, making it sweeter and more flavorful.

Should stone fruit be refrigerated?

If the stone fruits you picked aren’t quite ripe enough to eat, leave them out on the counter. Keeping them at room temperature, in a well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight will help them ripen further.

Then, once your apricots, nectarines, peaches, or plums are ready to eat, store them in a breathable container or perforated bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge, so the chill slows down the ripening process and extends their shelf life.

Long-term storage for stone fruit

Stone fruits aren’t just a delicious summer treat, there are a variety of ways to preserve them to enjoy the rest of the year. So if you need—or want—to hold onto your stone fruit for longer, you’ve got options. You can slice and dry them in a food dehydrator or an oven on its lowest setting. Dried fruits are great snacks on their own or baked goods and trail mixes.

If you slice and remove their pits, stone fruit stores well in the freezer and can later be used in smoothies, and all types of baked goods. You can help them maintain their color (and not brown) by dipping the fruit in a mixture of 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice before freezing, or by blanching the fruit (dropping the pieces into boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes then transferring to a bowl of ice water). Drain and flash-freeze the pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet for an hour before putting them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freezing.

If you like to can or preserve fruit, this is another good option for your apricots, nectarines, peaches, or plums. Once safely preserved, store the unopened jars in a cool, dark pantry. After you break the seal and start enjoying them, store in the fridge.

Delicious stone fruit recipes

You could only ever just eat your stone fruit right off the tree and truly enjoy your harvest, but don’t miss out on the many options from jellies and preserves to muffins, cakes, and cobblers. You can even go savory by adding them to salads, salsas, pasta sauces, pizzas, or grilling them with veggies.