One the many joys of visiting clients are the side trips you find along the way. After seeing clients east of Dallas this week we popped in at Ham’s Orchards.  A local landmark about 3 miles outside of Terrell, Texas,  Ham’s Orchards started selling peaches out of a roadside trailer more than 31 years ago.

Not much left of the half bushel of peaches from Ham's Orchards. Jam's, pies, home-made ice cream, and plain ole peaches in the Wucher house this month! Ah, the tastes of summer.

If you’re from the South, you eagerly await the summer months for a taste of a fresh picked, ripe, Texas peach. Known as “The Jewel of Summer”, Texas peaches are available at Ham’s from mid-May through August 15th. “Empress”, White Lady”, and “Dixieland” may sound like names  you would find on the side of WW II military planes, but in this case they refer to the more than 45 varieties of peaches that Ham’s grows each year.  We brought home a half bushel of “Loring” peaches, which are the Freestone variety.  They didn’t last long, as you can tell the photo to the right.

Over the years the store has changed, but the peaches have more or less remained the same.  In 2001 an air-conditioned building was built, which I for one am thankful for!  Look for fresh picked peaches, blackberries, apricots, nectarines, strawberries and plums throughout the summer.  You’ll also find fresh vegetables from local farms, jams & jellies, homemade cobblers, fudge and a local favorite, homemade ice cream.

The 100 plus temperatures in July and August are no match for the demand of sumptuous peaches.  You will ALWAYS find folks sitting outside in the sweltering heat, cooling off on a large-sized cone of peach ice cream!  Check out of photo of the three lovely ladies enjoying their sweet treat!  The benches under the outdoor pavilion host locals and travelers who stop by for a bite of hamburgers and hot dogs.  Top it off with a fresh peach or a peach ice cream cone and you’ll be glad you stopped by Ham’s Orchards!