Which state grows the most peaches?

In 2012, California was by far the largest producer of peaches in the United States. Farmers there grew 713,000 tons of the fruit. South Carolina was in second place with 95,000 tons, while Georgia, the "Peach State," raised just 36,000 tons.

Most of the peaches grown in California come from several northern counties and the San Joaquin Valley in the central part of the state. Because of low precipitation in parts of California, many peach orchards must be irrigated.

Peach farmers in California must defend their crops against many insects, including San Jose scale, oriental fruit moths and peach twig borers. Trees must also be protected from diseases such as peach leaf curl and powdery mildew.