About
Georgia is located in the Southeastern USA
The State of Georgia is an agriculturally dependent state located in the southeastern part of the United States. Georgia's latitude and longitude are 30° N to 35° N and 81° W to 85° W, and it neighbors the states of Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Georgia’s temperate climate and soil types provide excellent growing conditions for a variety of agricultural goods, including cotton, soybeans, peanuts, pine trees and peaches. Although peaches are not native to Georgia, peaches are the official state fruit with over 40 varieties grown throughout the State. The state produces over 130 million pounds of peaches annually, with the harvest occurring between mid-May and mid-August.
Georgia’s temperate climate and soil types provide excellent growing conditions for a variety of agricultural goods, including cotton, soybeans, peanuts, pine trees and peaches. Although peaches are not native to Georgia, peaches are the official state fruit with over 40 varieties grown throughout the State. The state produces over 130 million pounds of peaches annually, with the harvest occurring between mid-May and mid-August.
Location of Peach Farms in Georgia
Heart of Georgia's Peach Farming Industry
Peach trees are native to China. The trees were introduced to North America in the mid-16th century in St. Augustine, Florida. In 1571, Franciscan monks introduced peach trees to St. Simon's Island off the coast of Georgia. Today, peaches are grown throughout Georgia, but there are four counties (Macon, Peach, Crawford and Taylor) that produce most of the state’s peaches. These counties are located in the central area of the state called the fall line. The fall line area separates the Piedmont from the Coastal Plain. This central location is an wonderful area in both climate and soil for growing a large selection of peaches, and it produces over 80 percent of the state's crop each year.
Growing Environment for Peaches
Composition of Sandy Loam Soil
As with most crops, peach trees grow best in specific types of soil, temperature, and sunlight conditions. Moist, fertile soil that drains well is ideal for peach trees. A combination of loamy/sandy soil of central Georgia, a blend of the Piedmont’s clay and the Coastal Plain’s sandy soils, is a great fit for peach production.
Temperature is also important for peach trees and the tree’s fruit production. The central location of most peach farms in Georgia is northern enough to allow the trees to receive ample cold temperatures for setting the trees’ buds and is southern enough to avoid late frosts that cause damage to the buds and fruit. These temperature conditions allow for early harvests of peaches, which generally means higher prices and greater benefit to the farmers. Sunlight is also important to healthy growth of peach trees. For the trees to produce fruit, they thrive with at least 10 hours of sunlight daily.
Temperature is also important for peach trees and the tree’s fruit production. The central location of most peach farms in Georgia is northern enough to allow the trees to receive ample cold temperatures for setting the trees’ buds and is southern enough to avoid late frosts that cause damage to the buds and fruit. These temperature conditions allow for early harvests of peaches, which generally means higher prices and greater benefit to the farmers. Sunlight is also important to healthy growth of peach trees. For the trees to produce fruit, they thrive with at least 10 hours of sunlight daily.