A guide to the all-too-brief, oh-so-sweet stone fruit season!

Stone fruits are a short-lived indulgence that only come around once a year, but finding someone who grows them responsibly is even rarer. Because of Quebec’s harsh climate, our search brought us to the Niagara Peninsula where we found Torrie from Warner’s Farm who, thanks to moderate winters and warm summers, has 60 acres filled with thriving fruit trees over 100 years old. Growing up on this same farm, Torrie learned from his father and his grandfather, harvesting synthetic pesticide-free peaches, plums, nectarine, and apricots you can find.

Keep scrolling for a guide of Torrie’s many varieties to help you make the most of the short short season! 

Tree-ripened peaches, the responsible way. 

Yellow peaches: All yellow peaches may look the same, but there are over a hundred varieties at the orchard, each producing fruit for about two weeks - without Torrie’s keen eye, it’s next to impossible to tell them apart. The first varieties peak in mid-July and the last, at the end of September.

White peaches: This variety is less acidic and sweeter than yellow peaches, best from the end of July to the end of August. They’re more fragile, making them less common than their golden sisters.

Baby gold peaches: This variety is typically firmer and keeps its shape when cooked, perfect for canning and grilling. They thrive best in the mid-August heat.

Tango peaches: These small, flat, sweet, and juicy peaches have a firmer exterior than other varieties. They’re ready to enjoy from mid-August to the end of September.

Red Buenos peaches: This variety is nearly identical to Tangos, the only distinction being their orangey-red colour. 

Fingers crossed for (tricky to grow) apricots.

Apricots: With a rich taste and smooth exterior, these mini treats are the perfect bite size combo of tart and sweet - at their best from mid-July to end of August. Torrie only gets a plentiful harvest every 3-4 years, so don’t pass them up if you see them on the Marketplace.

Rare Ontario-grown nectarines. 

Nectarines: Because they lack a fuzzy exterior, nectarines are more fragile than peaches and due to their delicate nature, we don’t usually have many. A small batch will be ready from early August until the end of September.

Nothing quite like a ripe plum.

Yellow plums: Marking the beginning of stone fruit season, these sweet and juicy golden fruits make their debut in early July.

Shiro plum: This historic variety with a mild, sweet taste can be traced back to the 1900s - originally from California. They’re ready to be picked in the first two weeks of August.

Vampire plums: This variety tastes best in mid-August to late September and was named by Torrie and his neighbour because of their ruby-red exterior. Spooky!

Violette Plums: This plum adapts very well to the Ontario climate but has quite a short season, from the end of August to mid-September.

Damson plums: Featured in iconic jams (often made by Ontarian grandmothers), this go-to classic is most ripe from mid-August to the end of September. 

Italian plums: Best in mid-September, this variety thrives in the fall - a perfect addition to Torrie’s Thanksgiving feast.

German plums: The last of the season, they peak from late September to mid-October. With their sweet taste and golden exterior, these are Torrie's all-around fave!