Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Moisture-retentive but well-drained. Avoid planting in heavy soils.
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Position
Sheltered south or south-west facing wall or fence, or under glass in cool climates. Elsewhere peaches need full sun to limit disease and produce high quality fruit.
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Frost tolerant
Yes, but it is important to choose varieties known to grow well in your area to reduce risk of losing blooms to spring freezes.
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Feeding
Topdress generously with well-rotted organic matter in spring, along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Keep the area under peaches mulched with wood chips or sawdust.
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Companions
Corridors within the orchard that are planted with clovers and other legumes contribute to soil fertility and attract pollinators.
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Spacing
Single Plants: 13' 1" (4.00m) each way (minimum)
Rows: 13' 1" (4.00m) with 13' 1" (4.00m) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Prepare a large hole by breaking up the soil and adding plenty of well-rotted organic matter. A wide hole is better than a very deep one. Mulch after planting, and encircle the trunk with a wire cage or protective pipe to protect the young tree from animal and insect pests. Young peach trees are at high risk for damage from insects that bore into the main trunk.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Peaches may need to be hand-pollinated when grown in sheltered spots. Prune peaches hard in late winter. Healthy peach trees will bear for fifteen years or more.
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Harvesting
Pick peaches when the color has fully developed and the flesh gives slightly when squeezed. The fruit should pull away easily from the tree.
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Troubleshooting
Keeping peach trees dry under cover or under plastic sheeting can help prevent peach leaf curl. In humid climates, peaches often develop problems with fungal diseases such as brown rot. Preventive sprays with organic fungicides are often needed to grow good quality peaches. Plum curculios feed on buds, flowers and unripe fruits. Control by allowing hens to feed around trees, or shake branches to dislodge the insects onto a sheet then plunge into very hot water. Remove any fallen fruits as soon as possible. Peach borers can be identified by holes in the bark with a sawdustlike frass. Poke a needle into the hole to kill the borer.
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