Betty Peach is a late-blooming peach discovered as a seedling near Ferndale in Western Washington, then tested and refined at WSU's Mt. Vernon Station. It's a self-fertile cultivar that ripens late in the season, typically at the end of August in the Pacific Northwest, with firm, semi-freestone fruit prized for preserves, freezing, and fresh eating. Growing 14 feet tall and hardy in zones 5 through 9, this variety offers deeper color than the Frost peach and superior productivity. Its resistance to splitting and late bloom time make it particularly valuable for maritime climates where late frosts can damage earlier-flowering varieties.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
168in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Betty was born from a chance seedling discovery in Western Washington and has since proven itself through university testing and regional cultivation. The firm, semi-freestone fruit delivers excellent quality whether you're preserving it, freezing it, or eating it fresh off the tree. Its late ripening and split pit resistance shine in cool maritime climates, where the extended growing season and moderate temperatures suit it beautifully, while its deeper color and higher productivity outperform many comparable varieties.
Betty excels in the kitchen as a preserving peach, with fruit firm enough to hold its shape through canning and freezing. The semi-freestone pit releases cleanly from the flesh, making processing less frustrating than with clingstone varieties. Fresh eating straight from the tree is equally rewarding, and the fruit's excellent quality suits both home preservation and fresh market sale in regions where late-season peaches command premium prices.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant nursery trees in early spring or fall, spacing them 14 feet apart in full sun with well-draining soil adjusted to a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and backfill gently to avoid air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch around the base, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk.
Harvest Betty peaches at the end of August in Western Washington, or when the background skin color shifts from green to cream or yellow and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. Because these are semi-freestone peaches, the pit will separate cleanly once fully ripe. Pick fruit in the early morning when temperatures are cool, handling gently to avoid bruising. For preserving, harvest when fully ripe but still firm; for fresh eating, allow an extra day or two on the tree for maximum sweetness and juiciness.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Betty's story begins in Western Washington, where it emerged as a chance seedling near Ferndale. Rather than remaining an unknown backyard discovery, it caught the attention of researchers at Washington State University's Mt. Vernon Station, who tested and evaluated it systematically. This evaluation period validated Betty's potential, ultimately releasing it as a recommended cultivar for the region's growers. The variety represents the kind of practical, place-based fruit development that has long shaped regional agriculture in the Pacific Northwest, where local growing conditions reveal which trees truly thrive.”