Tennessee Peaches, You Bet

Picking is in progress now! 

Tennessee isn't known for peaches. In fact, we're inundated with peaches from elsewhere—namely Georgia (aka The Peach Truck), and South Carolina—the choice of produce stands around town. Occasionally, we get a glimpse of an Alabama peach, which I'm especially partial to after living in Birmingham for 15 years. But Tennessee peaches, almost never. So when we heard about Forgies Fruit Farm we had to get ourselves over there fast before the peaches ran out. A straight shot down 65 South for 45 minutes, then 10 minutes into the hills will bring you to the stunningly beautiful orchard. Compared to blueberries, it doesn't take long to pick a basket of peaches, especially when they're as big as Forgies’ peaches are. The variety they grow, "Lorings," are about the size of softballs.

The Forgie family moved to middle Tennessee from Michigan in 1989 and immediately fell in love. They had raised pigs, chickens, turkeys, and corn in Michigan and didn’t want to deal with anything that could escape or that you had to feed and water. So they worked with a county UT agriculture extension agent and, in 1994, planted 350 peach trees.

They also planted cherry trees (logically, being from Traverse City, MI), and now have the largest sweet cherry orchard in Tennessee. This year’s peach season is early, starting in late June and going just into mid-July. Be sure to call before you head out!

Regardless of the state your fruit hails from, here is a great peach crisp perfect for your summer barbecue.

Forgies Fruit Farm | 2000 Collier Rd, Lewisburg, TN 37091 (931) 359-0153 | forgiefruitfarm.com

Other places to pick local peaches:

Breedens Orchard 

Rosson Orchard and Farm