How to Grow Nectarines and Peaches

Anyone who has ever bitten into a ripe peach or nectarine knows the flavors are unlike any other fruit at the market. Almost anyone with a small plot of land can grow these fruits right outside their back door.

Peaches and nectarines are essentially the same tree when it comes to growing them. The two are genetically very similar which makes their needs in the backyard orchard the same. Peaches are fuzzy, very juicy and sweet while nectarines are smooth-skinned and very often a bit on the tart side.

Planting

1. Prunus persica should be set out in a sunny location in a sandy loam soil.
2. Plant trees from late fall till early March while dormant.
3. Clear out weeds and grass from planting area.
4. Dig hole large enough to accommodate root system without crowding them. Remove tree from pot, set in planting hole two inches deeper than it was in the nursery pot. Spread roots out carefully so as not to break them.
5. Keep tree upright and straight in planting hole. Place some topsoil on roots, enough to hold the tree upright, firm by patting gently with hands.
6. Step back several feet to check tree to be certain it is straight in the hole. When satisfied tree is straight, replace dirt and firm it down to remove air pockets in soil.
7. Using a soaker hose or low stream of water from sprayer, water well. This will help to remove any remaining air pockets from soil around root system.

Care of Prunus persica

Water regularly but do not overwater. Two to three weeks before harvesting fruit, give peaches and nectarines a little extra water. Like other fruit trees, organic mulch should be applied around base of tree to help retain moisture for the roots and retard weed growth.

One and one-half to two months after planting, spread four to six ounces of a general purpose fertilizer like triple ten (10-10-10) around tree being careful to keep it away from the trunk. Feed half as much the following June and again in early August. Beginning the second year, trees should be fertilized twice a year, once in early spring and again in early fall.

With proper care, peach and nectarine trees will produce an abundance of fruit for twenty to twenty-five years and in some cases, up to forty years.

Pruning

Pruning peach and nectarine trees should only be done after all danger of freezing temperatures has past.To allow for air movement through the tree and sunlight to penetrate all parts of the tree, these fruit trees are pruned to an open-center.

Below are some tips to help with achieving this.

• Cut out all broken, dead and diseased branches.
• Trim, sparingly, crossed (these will appear ‘tangled’), weak and parallel branches.
• Center should be kept open.
• Cut back to main branch (lateral branch) to promote strong growth of side branches.
• Make sure tree is not becoming overloaded with non-fruiting branches.

For a step by step diagram showing how to prune a peach or nectarine tree, Clemson University has created an easy to follow fact sheet.

Further reading

‚”Easy Peach Berry Crumble Recipe”

For more tips on growing fruit trees, read ‚”How to Grow a Mango Tree“, ‚”How to Grow a Loquat Tree” and ‚”Growing Apples in Florida“.