My winters have occasional night-time frosts but are otherwise mild. I would like a recommendation for a peach suitable for my garden. I want a freestone peach that is good for both eating fresh and cooking.
Peach trees are not long-lived. I just today had a 'Ventura' peach removed because it was well past its prime and no longer grew with any vigor; I had it some 15-20 years. Before that, I had a 'Golden Blush' for about 15 years.
I preferred the 'Golden Blush' but could not find it when the first tree had to be removed. 'Ventura' is okay, but I did not see it in any nursery at the beginning of this year, when bare-root fruit trees were available.