Malynda Fulton
Nothing says summer like a roadside farm stand overflowing with fresh produce. Fortunately, the South Georgia area has several great places for finding sweet peaches — and a few other seasonal fruits and vegetables.
With summer upon us, fresh peaches and other seasonal fruits such as melons and berries are available for purchase.
In Morven, they can be found at Lawson Peaches on Georgia Highway 133. Lawson Peaches Owner Barbara Lawson said that the peaches are usually sold from the beginning of May to the end of July.
Shoppers can also enjoy homemade peach ice-cream and lemonade, or purchase cookbooks with a variety of peach recipes. Other items made by peaches include peach glycerin soap, peach bath soap, peach bath salt and peach candles.
Among other produce at Lawson Peaches is Georgia watermelons, cantaloupes, nectarines, plums, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes and Vidalia onions.
A few miles down the road, on Georgia Highway 122 in Barney, peaches can be purchased at Luck & Moody Peaches.
Right now, Luck & Moody is offering June Gold peaches by the box or individually. In a few weeks, the family-owned stand plans to add Rio Grandes to its selection, as well as plums, nectarines and blueberries.
One will also find peach jelly, peach lemonade, fresh baked peach bread, homemade peach ice-cream and peach pound cakes.
“Our vegetables include tomatoes, squash, zucchini, Vidalia onions and sweet yellow and white corn,” said Stephanie Luck, whose mother, Lou Jean Luck owns the company. “Later this summer, we will offer white acre peas, zipper peas, blackeye peas and butter beans.”
Luck said that the company starts harvesting around the end of April and offers such produce from May until the first or second week of August. Luck’s grandfather, James E. Moody, started the business in the late 1950s. Moody was the third peach grower in Georgia.
Burton Brooks Orchard sits only minutes away from Luck & Moody and also offers locally grown peaches. Customers can also be spotted stopping by for some homemade peach ice-cream.
In addition to peaches, Burton Brooks Orchard has watermelons, cantaloupes, blueberries and vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes. The stand is open every day until the end of July.
Georgia’s peach industry took off during the Reconstruction years following the Civil War, when the emancipation of the slaves and other factors caused planters to diversify crops. The pecan, Vidalia onion, and apple joined cotton as cash crops in Georgia. In the 1870s, the peach joined them after the boll weevil decimated the cotton crops.
Elberta and Georgia Belle were the first two peach varieties to be developed in Georgia. Today, more than 40 varieties of peaches are grown and eaten.
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Luck & Moody Peaches
Barney, Ga.
WHEN TO VISIT: Open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Valdosta, take Old Highway 41 North to Hahira, turning left at the red light. Upon entering Barney on Georgia 122, look for a red-trimmed stand on the right just after the railroad tracks and intersection with Georgia 76.
Estimated travel distance about 24 miles. Call (229) 775-3300 for more information.
Lawson Peaches
Morven, Ga.
WHEN TO VISIT: Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Valdosta, take Georgia Highway 133 (North St. Augustine Road) to Morven. Look for the red-tin-roof-covered porch on the right and the Lawson Peaches sign.
Estimated travel distance about 17 miles. Call (229) 775-2581 for more information.
Burton Brooks Orchard
Barney, Ga.
WHEN TO VISIT: Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Valdosta, take Old Highway 41 North to Hahira, turning left at the red light. Upon entering Barney on Georgia 122, look for a white stand on the right (a little off the road) just before the railroad tracks and intersection with Georgia 76.
Estimated travel distance about 24 miles. Call (229) 775-2828 for more information.
