When grown from a pit, peach trees can produce fruit as early as 3 to 4 years old.Most gardeners prefer to buy young trees from nurseries or tree farms rather than grow a tiny, fragile seedling into a tree.In 1 to 2 years, peach trees can produce fruit.When learning how to plant a peach tree, gardeners should be aware that the tree will need specific conditions and will be prone to disease.When these factors are taken into account and a peach tree is planted and cared for correctly, it will produce tasty fruit each growing season.
Step 1: Purchase a peach tree at a tree farm.
You can try to grow one from a seed or pit, but that is more time consuming and difficult.A peach seed will grow into a flowering peach tree in about 3 to 6 years, if you buy a tree at the nursery, aim for one about a year old, and the reward will be much more imminent.If you end up buying a young tree, look for one with little to no leaves.The best time to buy these is during the fall and early spring.It is more likely that the tree will fail if you plant an active tree with green leaves and full branches.To use a peach seed, make sure it comes from a delicious, juicy peach, so your future peaches have the qualities of their mother, although you should keep in mind that there is no guarantee that it will share these qualities.The pit should be dry for a few days when you find a peach.The seeds will look like almonds if it is brittle.
Step 2: Pick your peach variety carefully, if you live in a cold climate.
Discuss with your local nursery what type of peach is easiest to grow.In the USA, peaches grow best in zones 6 and 7.Two varieties that can survive a bit of cold weather are "Frost" and "Avalon Pride".If you're looking for a smaller variety that you can grow on your deck or patio in a pot, "Pix-Zee" and "Honey Babe" are good choices.They are only 6 feet tall.
Step 3: Plant a tree in the spring.
The best time to plant a peach tree is in the spring.Don't try to transplant a peach tree in the summer because it may harm the tree.
Step 4: There is an area for planting a peach tree.
It's good to have at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.The warmest place in your garden is next to a south-facing wall, where it can get a lot of reflected heat.If you want to reduce the risk of frost and provide direct sunlight the majority of the year, look for a spot that has a sandy, moderately fertile soil and is elevated to give your tree proper air flow.
Step 5: Prepare a section of the ground that is at least 1.5 m in diameter.
Break up the soil with a garden spade.It's easy for the roots to spread out because of the amount of space.Making sure grass is not around the base of your tree will prevent it from interfering with the tree's growth.Deep in the soil is the best place to support the peach tree's roots.Don't bend the roots if you spread them away from the base of the tree.
Step 6: Peat moss and compost can be added to the prepared soil.
Get the soil loosened by mixing it up well.Water the area where you are going to place the peach tree.You don't want to saturate the dirt if you sprinkle more than a light sprinkle.If the soil's pH is too low, mix a few limes into it.
Step 7: The peach tree should be planted in the middle of the prepared soil.
Put the tree in the hole on a small mound of soil.Place a garden spade around the peach tree to secure it.If you have a grafted tree, position the inside of the curve away from the sun.
Step 8: It's important to care for your peach tree.
If your peach tree appears to be wilted, water it lightly.If you live in a dry area, a peach tree may need a light watering.An organic mulch can be used to take care of weeds and nutrition.You can make a circle of mulch over the root zone that is a couple of inches deep and about a foot in diameter.You can sit back and watch your tree grow with the right amount of rain.
Step 9: After about a week, apply a mild pesticide to your peach tree.
It is possible to deter insect borers by wrapping the trunk with garden row cover.You can surround the tree with a cylinder of mesh hardware cloth.Use a lime-sulfur spray to raise your tree's chances against peach leaf curl.
Step 10: Nitrogen is added to your peach tree about twice a year.
If you spread 1 pound of nitrogen evenly over the area, it will help your tree grow.The amount can be reduced to 34 of a pound after the initial year.Nitrogen can be added to the soil after the third year when the tree is mature.The best time to do this is in the spring.If you want to make your tree hardier, don't fertilize it within 2 months of the first frost.
Step 11: Make sure your tree is in good shape.
It should take on an open center shape.In the summer, cut the shoots that are forming on the top of the tree by two or three buds.Check the tree in a month.Cut back other branches if you have three wide-angled branches.In the summer, cut any shoots below the main branches.Remove shoots from the center of the tree to keep it in shape.If you want to shape the tree, Prune it in late winter or early spring.Cut off any branches that are rubbing against each other as well as any that might be growing up into the open center of the tree.Pruning encourages production.It gives more resources to the parts of the tree you want to grow.Each season, you'll get 10 to 18 inches of new growth.
Step 12: Don't eat the fruit.
Thin the fruit by spacing them out 6 to 8 inches apart after the tree blooms.The fruit left over becomes large and juicy because of this.You want the sun to be able to reach all branches and fruit, if some fruit is flowering in the shade, thin it, that way you can allocate the nutrients to the fruits that will grow faster.You want an open canopy for your fruit.Every branch should have access to plenty of sunlight.To give your fruit the best chance, remove dead branches and blooms.
Step 13: The fruits are mature and ripe for harvest.
The fruits on the top and outside of the tree are likely to be ready for harvest first.The fruits are ready when there are no green bits on them.They should come off with a twist.It's a good idea to be careful when you pick peaches.They can store in a bag in the fridge for up to 5 days.You could make peach jam.