Ontario peach growers produce more than 10 million baskets
of peaches during the 10-week growing season that starts in
July and runs through September.
And did you know that 90% of the province of Ontario’s
peaches are grown in Niagara?
Here are some facts about the Niagara Region and this tasty fruit:
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In 1779, peaches were harvested at the mouth of the Niagara River for local consumption.
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In the mid-1780s, Peter Secord, the uncle of Laura Secord, was believed to be the first Loyalist farmer, taking a land grant near Niagara to plant fruit trees. Ontario peaches, pears and plums have been thriving in the area ever since.
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In 1792, Lady Simcoe, wife of the King’s representative for British North America, wrote in her diary that she had 3 standard peach trees that helped provide her with treats over the winter.
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In 1860, the menu at a dinner for the Prince of Wales noted that Brown’s peaches would be served. (Joseph and John Brown are said to have had the first commercial orchard in Niagara.)
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In 1865, the price of a bushel of Crawford peaches was $4.00 (poorer varieties from $2-$3.00); pears cost $1.50 -$2.00 a bushel; and plums cost $3 -$4.00 a bushel.
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By 1875, there were 375,000 peach trees in Ontario (not one of those varieties remains today).
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In 1930, local pilots flew Yellow Sun peaches via Montreal to England for the Prince of Wales.
Source: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2723741
