Southern Illinois Peach Crop Looking Good This Year

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois fruit farmers say this year's moist weather is producing a particularly appealing peach harvest.

WSIL-TV reports the wet weather made this year's crop extra sweet and juicy.

Sara Lipe owns Lipe Orchard near Carbondale. She says this year's peaches are bigger and the crop is more abundant than last year, when the region was contending with a drought.

But there've also been challenges.

The cooler spring temperatures meant this year's crop is later than normal. And farmers have also been working to keep the fruit free from disease.