Home & Garden Trees & Houseplants

Fact Sheet on Growing Peach Trees

By Home & Garden Last updated Friday, June/14/2024

Climate

Peach trees cannot grow in areas that have hard frosts. The trees require sunlight for 80 percent of the day, eliminating sites that have tall buildings or other trees that could shade the peach. Carefully select the site for your peach tree. Don't plant in low areas that will hold cold temperatures; peach trees do best in higher areas.

Peach trees grow best in a soil consisting of sandy loam in the top 18 inches with well-drained soil underneath. A flood that lasts for 72 hours can kill a peach tree. Prepare the soil for planting well ahead of time. Work soil 10 to 12 inches deep in a circle 5 to 6 feet in diameter. Add plenty of compost, clippings or leaves.

Choose a tree 3 to 4 feet tall and with a healthy root system. Plant in the prepared area with the bud union 1 to 2 inches above the soil line. Right away, grab the pruners and cut to a height of 26 to 30 inches. Remove all side branches and leave one center branch. This trimming will improve shape and growth in the future. Plant a potted tree in early summer. Bare root trees can be planted in late winter or early spring. Fertilize seven to 10 days after planting.

Prune before February but not just before a cold period. Remove shoots less than 6 inches in length. The desired shape is a strong center trunk with branches spaced evenly on the sides in a fan shape. The center of the tree should remain open to allow sunlight to reach all areas of the tree.

Peach trees often don't survive unless an insect control plan is implemented. Insects that often feed on peach trees include stink bug, oriental fruit moth, plum curculio, peach tree borers, Japanese beetle and European red mite. Spraying or dusting should occur on a regular schedule to prevent these pests from taking hold in a tree.

Choose between the freestone and the clingstone types by deciding how you will use the fruit. Freestone types have fruit that separates easily from the pit. These types work best for eating fresh or freezing. Clingstone peaches have fruit that sticks to the pit. Plant this type if you intend to can your harvest.