I recommend peaches to beginner gardeners or those just starting to plant a home fruit tree orchard, because they are so easy. Here are my top 5 tips to growing an abundance of peaches in your own backyard garden.
Check out the video version of this guide and see my peach harvest here:
Tip #1 - Choose the Correct Variety of Peach Tree
The journey to growing the perfect peach begins with selecting the right variety for your garden. But how do you know which one is right for you? It all comes down to understanding cold chill hours – the accumulated hours during winter when temperatures are between 32°F (0°C) and 45°F (7°C) in your area. Many fruiting trees require a certain amount of cold chill hours every winter season to break dormancy, flower, and then produce fruit.
For example, last winter in my Florida garden, I accumulated 120 cold chill hours during my winter season. I must choose low cold chill hour peach cultivars like Florida Prince which requires 150 cold chill hours or less to produce. If I choose one of the most widely grown cultivars in commercial peach farms called Georgia Belle,I would not get good production because this variety requires 800 cold chill hours. My area never gets more than around 200 cold chill hours so the Georgia Belle is a better option for colder climates.
Tip #2 - Peaches Need Full Sun
Peaches are sun lovers, and they need it in abundance to flourish. Partial shade will reduce its productivity, so choose your planting spot wisely. Choose a full sun spot even if you're in a hot climate like Florida.
Tip #3 - Plant it in a Mound of Compost
Plant fruit trees in a 3-4FT high and wide mound instead of at ground level. Use straight compost to build this mound. Planting on higher ground helps get better drainage and avoid root rot especially in rainy or flood-prone areas.
Tip #4 - Manage Common Pests and Diseases
Prevention is key when it comes to combating peach tree pests and diseases. During fall and winter dormancy, a regular application of horticultural oil every 2 to 3 weeks helps smother overwintering pests and treat common fungal issues like powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust, and leaf spot. However, in hot climates, refrain from spraying oil-based treatments during summer because it can burn the leaves.
Tip #5 - Prune the Tree Back After Harvesting
Prune peach trees after you have finished harvesting. Pruning heavily right after harvest encourages new growth, which is where next year's fruit-bearing branches will emerge. Not only does this ensure a bountiful harvest, but it also makes maintenance and harvesting more manageable, especially in smaller garden spaces.
When To Harvest Peaches
By following these tips, I am sure you will have a bountiful peach harvest. Peaches are ready to be harvested off the tree when they start blushing in color. The color depends on the variety as some will blush orange, pink, or red. Harvest when the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure, knowing that they'll continue to ripen off the tree. Despite some challenges with curious critters like squirrels and birds, the joy of homegrown peaches far surpasses any store-bought variety.
With these tips in your gardening arsenal, you're well on your way to cultivating an abundance of peaches in your own backyard!