Just Peachy!

Beautiful, juicy peaches are a delicious summer staple for most modern homesteaders. They can make a yummy snack, be the star ingredient of a decadent cobbler, and provide a variety of sweet jams and jars of butter. Peaches are also an excellent source of vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. If you are wanting to plant some peach trees in the yard or orchard, we have you covered with these quick Do’s and Don’ts!

Do:

Plant peach trees in their dormant state.

Container-grown peach trees should be planted in late winter or early spring so that they can acclimate to their new environment throughout the growing season and be well-established before the next winter.

If you are planting a tree from seed, you will need to extract the kernel from the peach pit, store it in an air-tight bag filled with potting soil, and refrigerate it for around three months. The refrigerator will mimic winter conditions, signaling the seed that it is time to germinate.

After 10 – 12 weeks (about 3 months), remove the seed from the fridge. You should notice the seed has grown roots. Plant the new seedling in a container, keeping the soil moist and placing it outside in the sun after the last frost of winter.

Choose the right location.

Standard peach trees should be planted 15 – 20 feet apart to allow the roots and branches plenty of room to expand. Choose a sunny site that ensures the trees will receive several hours of direct sunlight each day.

When planting, dig a hole with a larger circumference than the seedling’s current roots. Water it well once it is planted but refrain from adding additional fertilizer immediately (working compost into the soil before planting never hurts, though).

Know your peaches.

There are standard peaches—the classic type of peach you probably imagine when you hear the word. Then, there are dwarf peaches, also known as nectarines. These perform best in different growing zones and may require different care.

Don’t:

Don’t forget to water them.

While mature peach trees can withstand some drought conditions, they cannot survive prolonged drought—especially in its first few years. During the first season, be sure to water the young tree at least three times a week. Once the tree is established and produces fruit, you may not need to water it unless your area is experiencing prolonged drought.

Don’t forget to prune.

After the peach trees produce their first crop, they need to be pruned each year to keep them healthy and fruitful. Neglecting to prune can cause the tree to become diseased and cause the tree to produce less fruit.

When to Harvest:

The right time to harvest peaches will vary depending on your zone, but they are typically ready to harvest in mid to late summer— usually in July or August. Color is the best indicator of ripeness. The more yellow the color of the peach, the closer to ripeness. Do a taste test before you harvest an entire bushel. If the fruit is sweet and soft, it is time to harvest.

Finally:

Buy your peaches locally from farmers – either at co-ops, directly from their farms, or at any of the various farmer’s markets!

–Rachel Green &

-Heather Wentworth