At the same time, the fruit swells rapidly in width, perpendicular to the plane delineated by the two surface ridges along its flanks. The peach develops its full aroma, and softens to the touch. It is usually best to harvest fruit selectively, several times on each tree over a period or a week or more. Once peaches ripen fully they should be picked and used promptly, because they become rather perishable and very susceptible to brown rot. Plums swell, develop a dusky wax bloom, soften to the touch and sweeten to the taste as they approach ripeness.
Cherries deepen in color, swell and soften, and their sugar content increases rapidly.
Both these fruits become susceptible to splitting if rained upon around harvest. Once the skins are split, the fruit must be eaten or processed quickly, before they are invaded by brown rot spores. Growing stone fruits is a gamble in New York, but many home gardeners consider it worthwhile anyway. They are compact and attractive trees in the landscape. Their profuse blooms of fragrant, colorful flowers are a joy early in spring even if they are nipped later by frost.