How do you tell when peaches are ready to pick?

Question

I don't want to waste a peach to see if the others are ripe. I live in Missouri.

Answer 1

The large peaches will get ripe first.  Also the ones up high and the ones that get the most light will get ripe faster.  Once you feel one that is starting to give when you squeeze it the reddest ones will be ready to pick.  You can leave the small and greener ones to pick later.  You may want to pick a tree about every two days if you have the time.  The longer you leave them on the tree the sweeter they will be.  However once they get ripe they need to be picked.  Because if you leave them on two long they will soon get an off taste as the sugar starts to break down.

In general the redder they are the riper they are.

Answer 2

When they are pink and large.

Answer 3

They turn reddish. are soft, but not mushy, not hard, they smell like a peach. and they break in half easily. Mine have done come and gone.

Answer 4

Peaches come in a variety of skin colors.  If they feel slightly firm to the touch, they are ready.  Here in AZ they are a few weeks away from picking.