Crop Guides
Types of Peaches Chart
Compare clingstone, freestone, white, yellow, and donut peaches with harvest windows and best uses before you visit a U-Pick orchard.
Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26
| Variety | Type | Flavor & Texture | Best For | Peak Window | Top States |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clingstone | Yellow, early season | Ultra-juicy, high sugar, softer flesh | Jam, grilling, cobblers | May–June (FL, GA, TX) | Florida, Georgia, Texas |
| Freestone | Yellow, mid-season | Balanced sweetness with firm bite | Fresh eating, pies, freezing | July–August (nationwide) | Michigan, Colorado, Utah |
| White Freestone | White flesh | Low-acid, floral sweetness | Fresh eating, chilled desserts | Late June–July | California, South Carolina |
| Donut (Saturn) | Flat novelty | Honey-sweet, melts in your mouth | Kids’ snacks, charcuterie boards | Mid July | California, Washington |
| Nectarine | Smooth skin mutation | Concentrated sweetness with snap | Fresh eating, salads, salsa | June–August | California, South Carolina |
| Elberta | Heirloom freestone | Classic peach flavor, balanced sugar/acid | Canning, pies, dehydrating | Late July | Georgia, Missouri |
| Cresthaven | Late freestone | Firm flesh that holds texture | Freezing, long-haul shipping | August | Michigan, Pennsylvania |
| O’Henry | Late freestone | Bold sweetness with slight tang | Fresh eating, tarts | August–September | California, Oregon |
Clingstone vs. freestone decoded
Clingstone peaches ripen first and cling to the pit—perfect for jam days in Georgia and South Carolina. Freestone peaches dominate July and August U-Pick weekends across the Midwest and Mountain West because the pit falls right out when you slice them for pies or freezer bags.
- Need ultra-juicy fruit for cobblers? Visit during the clingstone wave (May–June).
- Want the easiest slicing experience? Book freestone weekends via the peach crop hub and filter by state.
- Chasing white peaches or donut novelties? Focus on California and Washington farms with specialty rows.
Plan your trip
Combine this variety chart with our state directories to lock in prime weekends: