The peach tree is a fast-growing tree that bears fruit after just 3 to 4 years if grown from the stone. However, most gardeners prefer to purchase saplings from nurseries or farms rather than trying to develop a small, fragile seedling. Peach trees from nurseries or farms typically produce fruit in 1 to 2 years. By learning how to plant a peach tree, the gardener must understand that this delicate plant has special needs and is prone to disease and insect infestations. When these factors have been considered and a peach tree is properly grown, it will produce tasty fruit in any season.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Getting started
Step 1. Purchase a peach seedling from a nursery or farm
You can certainly try growing one from a seed or pit, but it's a little more difficult and takes a lot longer. A peach seed will develop into a tree capable of forming flowers in about 3 - 6 years; if you buy a sapling in a nursery, look for one that is about a year old - and the rewards will be much more immediate.
- If you choose to buy a sapling, look for one with lush, green leaves and well developed, healthy branches.
- As when growing from a seed, make sure the sapling comes from a delicious and juicy peach tree, so future fruit will have the "mother" traits. When you happen to find a tasty peach, put the pit to dry for a couple of days. When dry, split it to expose the seeds - they resemble almonds.
Step 2. If you live in a colder climate, choose your peach variety carefully
Talk to the local nursery about the type of peach tree that could grow more easily. In the United States, peaches grow well in agricultural zones 5 to 9 (as defined by the Department of Agriculture and roughly coinciding with the cold temperate zone to the beginning of the subtropical zone), but develop best in zones 6 to 7. "Frost" and "Avalon Pride" are two of the varieties that can handle quite cold weather.
And if you're looking for a smaller variety that you can grow in a patio or patio pot, "Pix-Zee" and "Honey Babe" are good choices. They only reach about 1.80m in height
Step 3. Make it a goal to plant the tree in spring or early summer
Some sources say planting peach trees in spring is the best solution to have an adequate period of growth, while others say summer is fine, especially for later varieties. Ask your local nursery to find out more, especially in relation to the variety you intend to plant. It is possible that they will give you the right information.
Step 4. Choose an area to plant the peach tree
Peaches love the sun - at least six hours of direct sunlight a day is fine. They also love the heat, so the hottest spot in the garden (like near a south wall where it can get a lot of reflected heat) is great.
Look for a spot with well-drained, sandy, moderately fertile soil that is elevated to have good air circulation (and to eliminate the risk of frost) and, as previously mentioned, that also ensures most direct sunlight. of the year
Part 2 of 4: Setting Up and Planting the Peach Tree
Step 1. Prepare a section of land 1.5m or more in diameter
Thoroughly work the soil with a garden plowing machine or spade. This amount of space makes it easier for the roots to spread out, and helps the tree to grow. Plus, the grass is greedy - making sure it doesn't grow around the base of the tree will prevent it from restricting its growth.
Dig at least 30 cm deep to ensure support for the tree roots. Spread the roots apart from the base of the plant, but be careful not to bend them
Step 2. Add a pile of peat and organic matter such as compost to the soil
Mix it well, loosening the soil. Next, water the area where the peach tree will be settled. Just a little more than a light splash will suffice; it is not recommended to completely impregnate the earth.
If the pH of the soil is too low (it is preferable to be neutral), mix some lime into the soil
Step 3. Plant the peach tree in the middle of the soil you have prepared
Insert the tree into the hole on a small mound of earth and fill. Gently tap the soil around the tree with a garden spade to secure it.
If you have a grafted tree, place the inside of the curve with the graft point away from the sun
Part 3 of 4: Keeping the Peach Tree Healthy
Step 1. Take care of the peach tree
Check the plant daily and water lightly if it looks wilted. Rainwater is what the peach tree needs, but if you live in a particularly arid area, a light watering may be necessary.
On top of that, for taking care of weeds and nutrition, an organic mulch will do just fine. Prepare a simple circle of mulch above the root zone that is 5cm high and about 1m in diameter. Now with the right amount of rainwater, you can literally sit back and watch the tree grow
Step 2. Apply a mild pesticide after about a week to prevent insects and diseases from harming the peach tree
You can also consider keeping burrowing insects away by wrapping the trunk with garden clippings.
- To keep rodents at bay, you can protect the tree with a circular wire mesh.
- Use a calcium and sulfur spray to improve the tree's resistance to peach leprosy, which is one of its most common diseases.
Step 3. Add nitrogen fertilizer about twice a year
After six weeks or so, 450g of nitrogen fertilizer spread evenly across the soil will help the tree bloom. After the first year, you can reduce the amount to about 340g.
- After the third year, when the tree is ripe, add 450 g of pure nitrogen. This is best done in the spring.
- To make the tree more resistant, do not fertilize for 2 months after the first frost, or when the fruit is ripening.
Part 4 of 4: Collecting the Peaches
Step 1. Prune the tree
It is advisable to give it an open shape in the center. After the first year and in the summer, cut off the buds that are forming at the top of the tree for two or three buds. After a month, check the progress of the tree. If you have three wide-angled branches that are equidistant from each other, cut the other branches and keep these as the three main branches.
- After a year, again in the summer, prune all growing shoots under these main branches. Afterward, remove all the shoots in the center of the tree to help keep the shape.
- Prune the tree in late winter or early spring. Cut off any branches that are too close or those that might grow in the center of the tree.
- Annual pruning stimulates production, it does not decrease it. It encourages new growth by distributing more resources on the parts of the tree that you want to develop. You will have 25 to 45 cm of new growth each season.
Step 2. Thin out the fruit
After the flowering of the tree, which will take about 4-6 weeks, thin the fruits by spacing them from 15 to 20 cm. This ensures that the leftover fruits get bigger and juicier. It is also advisable that the sun can reach all the branches and fruits - if any fruit blooms in the shade, eliminate it - this way you can make nutrients available for other peaches that will grow faster.
Always try to have an "open vault" for the fruit. Make sure each branch has plenty of sunlight. Remove dead branches and flowers, those that are drooping and misdirected, to give the fruit the best chance
Step 3. Harvest when the fruit is ready and ripe
Check the peaches on the top and outer parts of the tree - they will probably be ready for harvest sooner than the others. When there is nothing more green on the fruits, they are ready. They should come off with a slight twist.
- Peaches bruise easily, so be careful when picking them.
- The fruits can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days in a sealed bag. Or, of course, you could make peach jam.
Advice
- When learning how to plant a peach tree, keep in mind that soil that is very moist, or that doesn't drain well after rain, is not good for the tree's root system. Peach trees grow best in sandy soils that drain quickly when fully soaked.
- If you know in advance that you will be planting peach trees, prepare the soil by adding fertilizer, organic matter and compost 2 years in advance. This will ensure a rich, well-draining, and nutrient-filled soil.
- Spring is the best time of the year to plant a peach tree and to give it a full season to adapt to its new environment.
- To be absolutely sure that the area where you will plant a peach tree has the nutrients it needs, have a soil sample tested. Ask if tests indicate it is suitable for peach trees, or if any additions are needed.
Warnings
- Do not plant a peach tree deeper than thirty centimeters. Planting too deep can cause root damage and death to the tree.
- Don't expect fruit in the first year. Some peach trees need 2 or 3 years to start producing.
- Never overwater a peach tree. The roots are delicate and too much water can cause damage.
- Don't plant a peach tree in an area with a lot of shade. The peach tree requires a lot of direct sunlight and will not grow properly or produce fruit without it.
