In article , Broadback
writes
By the book peaches in this area, North Staffordshire, should not be
ripe until the end of the month, or even September. I don't want the
wasps to have them, they have enjoyed my apples and plums before they
were ripe, so I want to pick them as soon as possible.

can you not net them? eg a foot off a pair of old tights over each?

What are the indications of ripe peaches, and if I pick them while still
a little hard will they ripen as supermarket (please excuse the
swearing) peaches do?

They'll probably ripen *exactly* as a supermarket one does, and with a
similarly full flavour ;-p

--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"