Oh, Fay Elberta peaches, hurry up and ripen already.

Fans of this old variety anxiously await its arrival. With a sweet-tart flavor and dainty yellow skin, this delicious peach evokes past summers for longtime families in the central San Joaquin Valley.

Now, the Fay Elbertas are a rare treat. Their flesh is so delicate, they bruise when shipped. Supermarkets don't carry them, and few farmers grow them.

Thank goodness for those farmers and their patience with antsy customers. This year's wait is more frustrating than usual, thanks to the weather. The cool, wet spring, as well as the latest burst of heat, is delaying the harvest.

Generally, growers estimate they'll start selling Fay Elbertas Aug. 1-10. So hold onto this list of growers, and try - as hard as you can - not to call them too early.

Peach on Earth Farm

Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Location: Dower Avenue south of Shaw Avenue.

More info: (559) 843-2333

For Fay Elberta updates from this farm, check out its Facebook page. It pegs the arrival of the harvest to the end of July.

Wawona Orchards, The Peach Tree fruit stand

Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays.

Location: Minnewawa Avenue, just north of Nees Avenue.

More info: (559) 299-2901

The Peach Tree offers both Fay Elberta peaches and Fayettes, a closely related variety. The Fayettes are similar in flavor and appearance to the Fay Elberta - especially when they are ripened on the tree. Look for both harvests soon after Aug. 1.

Mesplé Farms

Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Location: Millbrook and Alluvial avenues.

More info: (559) 439-0104

Mesplé Farms' stand is selling Elbertas from the North Clovis ranch of Mike and Cynthia Folsom. (Mike Folsom is the grandson of Al Folsom, who sold lots of Elberta peaches from his farm until he died in 2005.) Paul Mesplé expects the Fay Elberta harvest to begin about Aug. 5. When it arrives, call to reserve peaches.

Kamimoto's

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

Location: 1728 W. Whitesbridge Ave.

More info: (559) 485-7618

Sho Kamimoto expects to start selling Fay Elbertas at his store in early August.

Dave Lewis Farms

Available as supply lasts.

More info: (559) 259-8884

Thanks to advance orders, this farm will have a very limited supply of Fay Elbertas. Call Claudia Sersland of Dave Lewis Farms to ask about availability.

Knowles' Farm

Hours: 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays.

Location: Fowler farmers market, Merced and Seventh streets.

More info: (559) 834-3666

Knowles' Farm sells Fay Elbertas at the farmers market in Fowler. Customers also can call to place orders for pick up at the ranch, 7175 S. Peach Ave., Fowler. Peaches are expected to arrive after Aug. 3, says grower Donna Knowles.

Il Giardino Organico

Hours: 7 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays.

Location: Vineyard farmers market, Blackstone and Shaw avenues, Fresno.

More info: (559) 275-4564.

Lou and Sharlyn Pasquale will sell organic Fay Elbertas from their stand at the Vineyard farmers market. Sharlyn Pasquale estimates that the harvest will start in the second week of August.

Steve Lubisich's farm stand

Hours: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, Sundays by appointment only.

Location: Nees Avenue, just west of Willow Avenue.

More info: (559) 217-2001.

Lubisich's farm is known for late harvests of Fay Elberta peaches, so start checking with him after Aug. 5. His stand is behind a home on Nees Avenue, just west of Willow Avenue. Look for the sign that says "Peaches," then turn into the driveway.

Masumoto Family Farm

By application only.

More info: www.masumoto.com.

Del Rey farmer and author David Mas Masumoto allows folks to adopt Fay Elberta peach trees on his farm. The adoptive families pick their own peaches at harvest time.

The 2010 adoption program is closed, but the Masumotos will take applications for the 2011 harvest in January. Go to the website for more information.