Just Peachy!
By Kay DiVerde
There’s nothing better than going out and picking a fresh peach off a tree in your yard for a delicious, sweet snack. As much as people love fresh peaches, they are often hesitant to plant a peach tree in their yard because peach trees have the reputation of being hard to grow. Anything can be hard to grow if you don’t know what you are doing. Choose a hardy variety, plant it in the proper environment, feed and fertilize it on a regular basis and keep it well pruned, and you’re on your way to the delicious treat of fresh peaches!
Choosing the Right Variety
Talk to your fruit tree supplier to find a variety of peaches that grow well in your area. If your space is limited, be sure to choose a peach variety that is self-fertile. The Elberta and J.H. Hale are varities that are NOT self-fertile. If these varieties are hardy in your area, be sure to have room for several trees to allow for proper fertilization.
Now that you know what’s important when choosing a variety of peaches, let’s discuss some hints for growing peaches to ensure a good crop. Peach trees need to be grown in a site with very well-drained soil. Without proper drainage, your tree may suffer from crown rot. Peach trees grow best in a soil with 5.5-8.0 pH. Fertilize your peach tree in the spring and again in early summer with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Keep your tree roots covered with mulch during the hot weather.
Pruning is Key to Good Fruit Production
Peach trees should be pruned yearly to maintain an open center, and to eliminate weak or misdirected branch growth. If the trees have experienced winter damage, prune off the damaged wood in the early spring. This will allow the wounds to close faster as growth begins. In the early spring you should also be able to see how many flower buds have survived the cold weather. Using thinning cuts also helps keep the center of the tree open. Be sure to thin the fruit on the trees to about 6 inches between fruits—wait to thin the fruit until June to see what the tree naturally drops itself. This thinning increases the size and quality of the fruit, and it prevents limbs from breaking under the heavy weight of the fruit. Always prune before early summer and start minimizing your watering at this time, too. You don’t want to stimulate new growth on the tree that will not have time to harden before winter. Don’t let these peach trees branch too close to the ground. The best fruit often grows at the top of the trees. Keep the tops of trees low, so they are easily accessible.
Mother Nature
Be patient with your peach tree. Generally the tree needs to reach about 20 feet in height and be at least three years old before it will start bearing fruit. How cold and hot it gets each year also affects the growth and fruit production of your peach tree.
Don’t be afraid to try growing peach trees in your yard. Check with a local fruit tree supplier in your area to find out which varieties are hardy in your area. Either purchase a self-fertile tree or buy several to allow proper fertilization. Grow your tree in the proper environment. Prune and thin out your tree on a regular basis. Then be patient and wait for those beautiful pink flowers that will eventually turn into the sweetest snack you’ll ever find in your backyard!
Kay DiVerde is a freelance writer, horticultural researcher and consultant for Orchard's Edge. DiVerde also writes for a variety of newsletters and publications in the Midwest.
