Peach Budwood

History: Contender was developed at the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 1988. It is one of several peaches developed by the station with the goal of creating late-blooming varieties that are better able to avoid spring frosts

Why We Grow It: Contender is a good-quality cold hardy peach. It produces large, freestone peaches with a sweet flavour that are great for eating fresh off the tree. The fruit is firm and slow to brown, also making it an excellent option for canning and freezing.

History: Harrow Diamond is one of the cold hardy peach varieties to come out of the Harrow Research and Development Center in Ontario. It was introduced in 1984.

Why We Grow It: This Canadian variety is one of the most cold hardy available and is one of the first to ripen in Ontario. The fruit is medium in size, mostly freestone but flesh does cling some to the pit, and of good flavour. Like Redhaven, it is non-browning, and it holds its shape well for canning or cooking.

History: Redhaven peaches were created at Michigan State University's South Haven Research Center as part of the Haven series which began in 1924. Redhaven in particular was developed in the 1930s and released in the 1940s, making it the first commercial red-skinned peach variety. It is now one of the most commonly grown peaches in the world.

Why We Grow It: Redhaven is the most popular peach in North America, its sweet fruit being great for just about anything. The fruit is attractive, juicy, and flavourful and is slow to brown. The flesh does not turn brown when cut as quickly as other varieties. To ensure you can enjoy this great peach as much as possible, the tree begins bearing fruit at a young age, bears heavy crops, and the fruit ripens over a prolonged period of time which requires multiple harvests.