Even though the peach season is winding down, the “Everything About Peaches” website developed by Clemson University Extension fruit specialist (and American/Western Fruit Grower “Stone Fruit” columnist) Desmond Layne continues to make headlines. For example, “Everything About Peaches” now has its own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/peachdoctor. In addition, earlier this year, the website took home the “Extension Division Educational Materials – Best Website” award from the American Society for Horticultural Science. Since launching in July 2010, “Everything About Peaches” has been visited 45,720 times (through Sept. 29, 2011). The site has several different components that are worth noting:
– Educational Videos — A total of 33 original YouTube videos were created featuring diverse, popular peach topics. Total online views for all videos through November 7 was 23,566.
– Grower Columns — Since January 2005, Layne’s “Stone Fruit” columns have covered a variety of diverse peach topics.
– Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — A total of 35 FAQs were written and arranged by five major topics. Some FAQs are short answer with no supplemental information. Others are comprehensive with many digital photos. Each FAQ is linked to other relevant resources so that the reader can readily access other complimentary resources (video, column, FactSheet, etc.).
– Peach Variety Evaluations Database — Eleven years of peach cultivar and advanced selection evaluation data appear here. This represents more than 350 cultivars and selections tested at a total of four locations around South Carolina. The database is fully searchable and side-by-side comparisons are possible. This database is widely used by growers, county agents, advisors, etc. in North America. It features diverse peach and nectarine types (white, yellow, red flesh; melting, non melting flesh; normal or sub acid; globose or flat) covering an 18-week ripening season from early May – mid September.