- 1). Plant the peach tree in an ideal garden location. A deep topsoil, 3 to 4 feet in depth that is fertile but drains well, is ideal. Avoid soggy soils or areas that flood after rains. The location also must receive at least eight to 10 hours of direct sunlight daily. Lastly, site the peach tree where it is sheltered from cold winter winds and on a gentle slope. Avoid placing the peach tree in a low elevation where cold air pools in spring and fall --- untimely spring frosts kill emerging and open peach flowers and affects the fruit crop number later on.
- 2). Dig the planting hole the same depth as the root ball of the peach tree in the nursery container. Make the hole two to three times as wide. Make sure to plant the peach tree at the same depth as it grew in the container: match the top of the root ball with the top rim of the planting hole. Do not plant the tree too deeply.
- 3). Water the peach tree to keep the root ball and surrounding soil evenly moist. For the first year, supplement natural rainfall with a garden hose or irrigation system to ensure the root ball and new roots never dry out. Water during dry spells, especially in the heat of summer. According to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension, a peach tree's water needs are highest in July and August. Irrigating peach trees even in the higher rainfall areas of southeastern Oklahoma improves tree health, vigor and quality of fruits.
- 4). Prune the peach tree each late February or early March with hand pruners. Remove any dead, diseased or broken branches any time of year. The early spring pruning is done to remove any rubbing branches, root suckers and inward-growing branches across the center of the tree. Make pruning cuts 1/4 to 1/2 inch above a lower branch junction or dormant bud.
- 5
Prune a couple of weeks before the buds swell.peach tree flower image by Lovrencg from Fotolia.com
Cut off two-thirds of the peach tree's previous year's growth in late February or early March. Do this only on mature trees at least four or five years old. The previous year's twig growth is a smoother, different color than the barked older branches further down. Remove two of every three branches, or cut back each branch tip to one-third its length. The aim is to maintain a well-structured branch skeleton that is open and even. Do not remove too much of the previous year's growth, as this is where this spring's flowers develop. - 6). Thin out developing peaches on the tree branches in April when the peaches are about quarter coin-sized. This is the most time-consuming task on peaches each year, according to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, but promotes large fruits and prevents too much fruit weight from bending and breaking tree branches. Pinch out little peaches so one peach remains every 6 inches along the branch. Use your fingernails or pruners to remove the peaches for proper spacing.
- 7
Closely watch the peaches so you know the best time to harvest.Group Of Peaches image by LynWatanabe.com from Fotolia.com
Harvest the peaches promptly. Each variety of peach ripens at different times between midsummer and fall. Monitor the size, color and smell of fruits as they grow, as this provides insight to when they are ripe and ready for picking. The flesh of the peach should be firm but start to feel slightly soft to the touch. Remove a peach and cut it open with a knife and feel and taste the flesh to determine if it's the right time to pick them for harvest.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
