Peach & Nectarine Trees — FarmPal
Summer's sweetest treasure. Worth the extra care they require.
Sun
full
Water
moderate
Spacing
Standard: 15-20 ft. Dwarf: 8-10 ft
Days to Harvest
2-4 years to fruit. 90-120 days from bloom.
Planting Depth
Graft union 2 inches above soil
Companion Plants
Garlic
Tansy
Strawberries
Asparagus
Avoid Planting Near
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Black walnut
Common Pests
Peach tree borer
Oriental fruit moth
Aphids
Japanese beetles
Diseases to Watch
Peach leaf curl
Brown rot
Bacterial spot
Crown rot
Growing Tips
- •Dormant copper spray prevents peach leaf curl
- •Prune heavily peaches fruit on 1-year wood
- •Thin fruit to 6-8 inches apart
- •Most are self-fertile (don't need pollinator)
- •Need 600-900 chill hours (check your zone)
Harvesting
- •Harvest when background color changes from green to yellow
- •Should give slightly to pressure
- •Twist gently from tree
- •Ripen on counter at room temperature
Storage
Ripen at room temp. Refrigerate 3-5 days. Freeze or can for longer.
Varieties
Redhaven
Most popular. Reliable. Freestone.
Elberta
Classic canning peach. Yellow freestone.
Contender
Very cold-hardy. Great for northern climates.
Fantasia
Popular nectarine. Large, sweet, yellow.
Indian Free
Heirloom. Red flesh. Amazing flavor.