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Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Peaches
Planting
For the best fruit production, peach trees should be planted in an area that receives full sun all day long. The morning sun is especially crucial because it helps to dry morning dew off the fruit and keeps it from rotting. Be sure to avoid planting in low areas, too, as cold air and frost can more easily settle there and affect the quality of your peaches.
Choose a site with well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Peach trees won鈥檛 do well in areas where the soil is compacted or remains constantly wet. Soil pH should be on the slightly-acidic side, between 6 and 6.5.
When to Plant Peach Trees
- Peach trees should be planted while they are dormant鈥攖ypically in late winter or early spring (depending on climate).
- In regions where the ground freezes during winter, hold off on planting until the soil has thawed and the ground is no longer waterlogged from snowmelt or heavy spring rains.
- It鈥檚 best to plant the trees the same day that you get them (if possible) to reduce stress on the seedling or sapling. Potted trees can tolerate not being planted for a little while, but bare-root trees should be planted as soon as possible.
- Select a tree that is about 1 year old and has a healthy root system. Older trees tend not to be as productive or vigorous overall.
How to Plant Peach Trees
- Dig a hole that is a few inches deeper and wider than the spread of the roots. Set the tree on top of a small mound of soil in the middle of the hole. Be sure to spread the roots away from the trunk without excessively bending them.
- For container-grown trees, remove the plant from its pot and remove any circling roots by laying the root ball on its side and using clean shears to cut through the offending roots. (Keep root pruning to a minimum, overall.)
- For grafted trees, position the inside of the curve of the graft union away from the sun when planting.
- Tip: Especially for dwarf or semi-dwarf grafted trees, the graft union must be 2 to 3 inches above the soil surface. If it鈥檚 any lower, the grafted tree (called the scion) may start to put out its own roots and grow into a standard-size tree.
- Do not fertilize at the time of planting.
- If you are planting standard-size trees, space them 15 to 20 feet apart. Space dwarf trees 10 to 12 feet apart.
- Most types of peach trees are self-fertile, so planting one tree is all that鈥檚 needed for fruit production.
An Alternative Planting Method
If your circumstances are suitable, you might want to try a technique practiced in England. It involves planting a peach tree鈥攊deally a dwarf variety鈥攐n the south side of the home (or other structure), directly under the eaves. Over time, the gardener prunes and trains the peach tree to espalier in a fan shape against or very near to the wall of the house.
Plastic sheeting is attached to the eaves and draped to cover but not touch the tree, similar to a lean-to tent. This keeps the tree dry in winter, and the tree enjoys the warmth of the sun鈥攄irectly and reflected off the house鈥攜ear-round. The plastic should be opened or lifted during bloom time to welcome pollinating insects and on hot, sunny days to ventilate the tree and prevent foliage burn.
Harvesting
- Peaches are harvested when they are fully ripe from late June through July and August.
- With peaches, it鈥檚 especially important to harvest at the RIGHT time.
- Though this timing depends on what type of peach variety, you can generally go by the color of the fruit. When peaches are fully ripe, the ground color of the fruit changes from green to completely yellow. No green should be left on the fruit. They should come off the tree with only a slight twist. The fruits found on the top and outside of the tree usually ripen first.
- Be careful when picking your peaches because some varieties bruise very easily.
- Tip: Peaches ripen faster in a closed paper bag at room temperature.
How to Store Peaches
- You can store peaches in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. They should keep for about 5 days.
- You can also make use of fresh peaches by making peach jam or peach butter.
- Peaches can also be canned or frozen for storage.
Catherine Boeckmann
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Transplant shock is common when planting trees. Watering is very important. The roots need to get established and the soil needs to be moist. Adding mulch around the tree will help keep the moisture in the soil. If the tree doesn't recover we suggest that you take it back to Lowe's for a refund.
I planted a Belle of Georgia in NYC summer of 2014. that first year, the leaves slowly fell off and I saw very little growth. I kept a water schedule of every 3 days of deep watering. My location faces south and I have good irrigation. Spring of this year (2015) I had lots of buds and growth. I used a 10-10-10 fertilizer in the early spring (after the last frost). I already thinned out fruit to get bigger tastier crop this fall.
Only thing I wish I did this past winter was treat tree with copper spray. I have a little peach leaf curl, but trimmed away the bad leaves and hopefully the infection is limited. I know they says removing the curled leaves don't help, I have extra time on my hands. This year I am focusing on training the tree instead of acutal crop yield. Hope your tree is just experiencing shock of transplant and you have the same experience as me. just stick to a deep wateing schedule
I have 3 peach trees that grow volunteer from seeds. They bloomed this spring and I wonder if they will bear fruits after blooming. I live in Georgia (zone 8).
Hi Arlee,
If there are blooms you may get some fruit this year. But be aware that the trees may not produce fruit that looks like or taste like the parent tree. But a peach grown from seed does have a better chance to be tasty than many other fruits.
I bought two bare root ultra-dwarf red baron peach trees that I want to grow in containers. The tag on the tree says they will mature to a height of 6 feet and about 4 feet wide. My question is if the fruit yield of these trees will be compromised if grown in containers as compared to the ground. My goal is not to get a commercial level yield but I would be disappointed if I get something like 12-15 peaches from a container grown peach tree. Please advise. Thank you.
A tree planted in a container won't produce as much fruit as a tree planted in the ground but they often bear fruit a year or two earlier. Make sure to plant the trees in big container as the roots need plenty of room to grow.
I planted a red heaven peach potted tree on July. I'm doubting my self about my selection. I live in San diego and I have been reading that they are for zones 9, mine is 10. Should I pull it up and plant another variety? I don't want to put all that time and effort for nothing
Correct, The "Red Haven" peach is not meant for your zone. We have never experimented with growing this variety in zone 10b. Consult your county extension to identify the right varieties for your garden. Begin by phoning your local Master Gardeners for advice.
I live in south africa. I replanted a small peach tree in october, unfortunately I planted in a spot that became very hot! The leaves started falling of an now its only the stem thats left, the tree is about 15cm in height. Altough the stem is stil green, will it grow leaves again or should I give up, I replanted it in a bag and moved it to a shaded area 3 days after the leaves started to sag.
Two questions. I grew up growing orange trees in FL. I want to grow a couple of peach trees. I had an amazing peach a few weeks ago from the farmers market. Freestone w/ yellow flesh grown in GA. Exactly what I would like to grow but I have no idea what it was. I live just north of Atlanta now (7b). What are the best eating/growing varieties for this area? How many trees do I need for good pollination?
