History of Davis Peach Farm

Dave Davis, current owner of Davis Peach Farm, has farmed full time since 1950 on a farm owned by his father Archer. He was already a seasoned farm hand - having worked weekends and after school since 1940. That's when he first drove a tractor. The Davis Farm has been in the family for generations. Originally in Mt. Sinai, Archer had taken over from his father Timothy J. Davis. Around 1910, Archer planted the first peach trees, eventually purchasing 32 acres on the south side of Rt. 25A in Mount Sinai.

After Archer's death in 1948, Dave helped his Mom run the farm while he completed high school. From 1950-1959, peaches were sold right in front of the family house. In 1959, a small stand was erected. Business grew right until the property was sold in 1988.

That fall, Dave purchased 64 acres in Wading River, former potato farm of Jay Hulse that had been in the family for 9 generations. The following spring, peach, nectarines, plums, apples, apricot, and cherry trees were planted. In 1990 a small crop was harvested. A much larger crop came along in 1991, but much was destroyed during Hurricane Bob.

In 1992, Dave began a practice he swore he'd never do - "Pick Your Own Peaches" was now underway at the Davis Peach Farm. In the following years, cherry and apricot trees were replaced by the more productive peach and nectarines. Since the newer varieties ripened earlier, the season would begin to start around the Fourth of July - sometimes a week earlier.

Today the Davis Peach Farm features over 70 varieties of peaches, over 50 varieties of plums, 20 varieties of nectarines, and 10 varieties of apples. Plus, you have to try the plumcots, pluots, and apriums. A plumcot is a cross between a plum (50%) and an apricot (50%). A Pluot is a cross between a plumcot and plum (75% plum - 25% apricot). An aprium is &5% apricot and 25% plum! Now these special varieties may sound fun, but they're difficult to grow under normal Long Island conditions. Some varieties may not be productive enough to sustain, but Dave enjoys trying new and better varieties, already featuring the largest selection of stone fruits on Long Island. And now matter how good his fruit already is, if he hears of a better variety (bigger, sweeter, more productive), you can be sure Dave will plant a few trees to test them out.

This year, Dave planted 80 trees of "donut peaches." A few that were previously planted (16) will produce fruit this year.

If you've never tried a donut peach, it's actually flat enough to push the pit out with your thumb. With the hole in the middle, you can easily see where this variety got its name from!