Tag Archives: growing peaches

Summer Peaches…Pure Bliss

August 4, 2025

“Fresh peaches are nature’s candy”. From an unknown source, comes this quote that my husband embraces fully. It’s especially true at our house around late June to mid-July when those much-anticipated east Texas, Parker County and Hill Country peaches hit the local fruit stands and farmer’s markets. We’ve been known to buy several bushels during that time.

On a recent weekend trip to the deep piney woods of east Texas, we experienced an exceptionally flavorful peach event. Hosted by our dear friends, Sharon and Jason Romano, developers of a stunning place near Overton known as High Hill Resort Community, what could be more appropriate than to celebrate their annual peach-themed dinner extravaganza!

Bushels of peaches from local growers arrived at their doorstep a few days prior to the dinner. The restaurant’s chef had already created the menu so preparations for feeding 64 guests went immediately into action.

At 6:00pm diners were welcomed to their seats and the “peachy” feast began. Please enjoy reading through the menu and viewing photos of a masterfully curated “Philley Peach Dinner”. Congratulations to Executive Chef, Ryan Dove, and Sous Chef, Matt Frazier, for treating us to a truly memorable event!

And thanks to our friends for sending us back to Dallas with 2 bushels of those summer jewels from east Texas!

Here is a short list of several recipes we will be enjoying over the next few weeks:

*Peach-Mint Lemonade and Peach Tea

*Peach Gazpacho

*Deconstructed Peach Burrata (courtesy of Chef Ryan)

*Peach Salad with Bacon Dressing (courtesy of Chef Ryan)

*Fresh Peach Poundcake

Photos from the Peach Dinner

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

A Peachy Year Ahead!

January 3, 2024

A Chritmas gift from a dear friend tied up with a fuzzy peach ornament

      

How could we enter into the new year without knowing the big announcement from Pantone? In 1999, the Pantone Color Institute created the color of the year educational program to engage the design community and color enthusiasts around the world in a conversation around color. Their hope is to inspire us to look at color in a different way. It is interesting to read about the process Pantone global color experts follow to arrive at the selection each year. You can do that by going directly to their website at pantone.com.

For 2024 we are encouraged to “Embrace the Warmth”. They suggest that we look for ways to nurture ourselves and others. To help guide us along in our yearning for closeness and connection, the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, made the following announcement on December 11, 2023.

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2024 is Peach Fuzz, a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body and soul. Officially, the number you need to know is PANTONE 13-1023. For like-minded gardeners, it is gratifying to learn that they selected a perfectly peachy nature-inspired fruit.

As a Texas girl, my mind went quickly to a lifetime of memories revolving around fresh peaches. If you are like me, the thought of ripe summer peaches makes this color choice especially meaningful. Going forward you can expect to find Peach Fuzz making an appearance in the design industry, fashion industry and in home décor. Also, it appears that Peach Fuzz will open the door to a wide assortment of lipstick, blush and contouring options. Nail color options will be available, as well.

Just last week I embraced that fuzzy feeling by ordering a pair of Peach Fuzz tennis shoes from Cariuma. If all goes well, I’ll be wearing them on one of our summer trips to the Texas Hill Country where we hope to visit a ‘pick your own peaches’ roadside orchard.

If you feel inspired to start growing your own peach trees this year, go to aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu for a full list of varieties recommended for our area. Wishing you all the joys of a heartfelt peach hue that enriches mind, body and soul.

Here are a few of our favorite peach recipes from ‘A Year On The Plate’ 2016 Master Gardener Cookbook.

Number One Favorite Peach Recipe – Fresh Peach Pound Cake

Peach Tree Tea Room Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler

Peach, Watermelon and Tomato Salad with Mint and Basil

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008