I seem to be slowly headed in the same direction, its not as extreme here on peaches vs nectarines but as I get more experienced with my low-impact spray program I am finding the nectarines are almost as easy as peaches to grow. And on average they taste better. The brix difference here is less, probably 3-4 points, not your 8-12. And some peaches like Foster and Indian Free are equal to my nectarines in brix. The main problem is 2/3rds of nectarine varieties rot too much so I have to be very picky on variety selection relative to rot, it needs to be in the lower third or so to be an easy grower for me.
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Scott,
I think whatever varieties do well for you, should do well for me. I am all ear ready to listen to nectarine recommendations from you.
I do like Arctic Star. Too bad my remaining graft is dying. Need to find new scionwood.
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Steven, how do you slice your nectarines for drying? I have a big harvest of Emeraude nectarines and want to dry some in my new Excalibur dehydrator, but don’t want to spend too much time slicing. Will it be enough to cut them in halves if I dry them long enough? The fruit is not large.
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Why did not this show up in your 2019 harvest diary? I feel you are keeping some secrets from us 
…
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I’m exhausted with all that harvest. It’s like having another full-time job, and I already have one. Maybe in a few days…
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If freestone cut in half. Then I take a thin slice off the outside of each half. That’s to get off as much skin as possible with a thin slice. They dry very slowly thru the skin. Then cut the remainder of each half into two or three slices with skin only around the outside.
If not freestone you just have to hack them up. It all works out the same.
I would not try to dry them as halves. That would take days and quality and appearance might take a hit. Sliced up to avoid the skin issue it takes 12-18 hrs at 135F.
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@californicus, my favorite peach I am growing or have ever tasted would be June Pride peach. It has a rich honey sweet flavor with a bit of acid and is very similar to a top tier nectarine flavor wise, not classic peach, and very low fuzz. Its really like a 50/50 peach/nectarine, and because of its acid and being early it needs good heat to be at its best. For your area I would recommend Red Barron, Kaweah, Loring or O henry, all of which are top peaches for flavor, but being later they will be sweeter there most likely. I also recommend a few white peaches, the two I find superior are Silver Logan and Arctic supreme. If your ever in the Sacramento area and want to stop by and try some fruits let me know, I have the last of my June Prides and Silver Logans now, but will have different varieties of most fruits as the season progresses.
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Thanks for the recommendations and the offer! I’ll take you up on that soon. Whats your opinion on Indian Free Peach variety? Did you try growing it in your garden?
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Indian Free is very good but a lot of mine were subject to brown rot so I replaced it with a new tree in a new area hoping it will do better on a slope. It is sweet and tart at the same time with a raspberry overtone. One peach that is a favorite there is Baby Crawford, I have not tried it yet but I have a bunch of them to try this year. You will want to have peaches and fruit in general all season so good to pick early through late varieties.
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