Vicksburg Farmers’ Market vendor Tonya Patino said peaches are her thing.

The peach farmer has been growing peaches in Chilton County, Ala., for the past 15 years and said she can’t get away from it.

“It’s an addiction,” she said. “Peach growing is addictive.”

Patino said in starting to grow peaches, farmers try different varieties to find what works best.

“Once you start it and it does good you’ll say, ‘This variety did good, so I’m going to try this variety,’” she said. “Then you’ll crossbreed trees and you ought to see those peaches.”

The peaches Patino has been experimenting with have turned out great, she said.

“I have to visit people’s offices and meet them off the interstate,” she said. “It’s wonderful. I love dealing with the people.

“It’s a really good cash crop,” she added. “Chilton County grows the best trees I’ve ever seen.”

She said the key to growing good peaches is in the soil.

“Some farmers who grade and wash, they sell them to the big warehouses,” she said. “You’ll see them all over Walmart, but they pick them green.”

Patino said at her farm they pick their peaches at their peak.

Her parents live in Vicksburg, which is how she got involved with the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market.

“They told me about it,” she said. “I love it here.”

Patino’s had a successful run during her four years at the market.

“The business is really good,” she said. “I get return people every week. The same people every week are back.”

Patino has no plans to quit selling in Vicksburg any time soon.

“I love this place here,” she said. “It’s really nice. The people are so friendly.”

In addition to peaches, Patino also sells blackberries, plums, peas and various other produce.

The Vicksburg Farmers’ Market, a Mississippi Certified Farmers’ Market, is located on the corner of Jackson and Washington streets Wednesdays from 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8-11 a.m.

For more information on the market call 601-801-3513.