Information on the Organic Care of Peach Trees

If you have a peach tree in your yard, or if you want to plant one, you might consider the organic approach to its care and maintenance. "Organic" generally means that a plant is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides to control insects or fungal diseases. It also includes the use of natural methods for weed control.

Varieties of Peaches

Consider purchasing a young tree that has come from organic stock and has been grown organically. Organic peaches are available in either white- or yellow-fruited varieties, of which many types of each exists. Also available organically are cling peaches, which have a pit that sticks to the flesh when ripe, and freestone varieties, which are easier to slice into pieces because the pit doesn't stick. Generally, most peach tree varieties are hardy in U.S. growing zones 5-9.

How to Plant Organic peach trees

Plant peach trees in early spring -- as soon as you can work the ground -- and avoid overly wet soil. Add compost to the planting site and mix well; this will provide nutrients during the first growing season. Then dig a hole that is slightly larger than your tree's root ball.
Before putting the root ball into the hole, spray the roots with Galltrol, which is a naturally occurring bacterium that protects the roots of many plants against a gall disease.
After backfilling the hole, water thoroughly.
Growing a nitrogen-producing crop such as perennial clover or peanut is a good organic technique that will give the tree needed nutrients and reduce weeds.

Soil and Fertilizer

Since peach trees require nutrient-rich soil with a pH range of 6.3-6.8, it's essential to test your soil before trying to grow organically.
To lower alkaline soil's pH with organic methods, purchase sphagnum moss and apply a 1- to 2-inch layer on top of the soil. To raise the pH of acidic soil, apply limestone or wood ash on top of the soil.
If you decide not to plant a nitrogen-producing cover crop, you'll need to add nitrogen every year. To do this organically, spread compost around the tree's drip line.
If you notice an unusual amount of new green growth in the spring when the tree is leafing out, cut back the amount of compost you use.

Organic Pest and Disease Control

Peaches are commonly subject to peach leaf curl, which is a fungal disease. To prevent curl, spray with copper spray in late fall and before flower buds open.
Brown rot blossom blight is also common. If the weather is warm and moist when blooming occurs, you might get this blight. Try spraying with rock dust, micronized sulfur and kelp. Apply these before any rain occurs.
The peach twig borer is an insect that sometimes attacks trees. You can control them with Bt, which is a naturally occurring soil bacterium.
Yellow jackets can present problems. Use traps and attractant lures to capture yellow jackets and reduce their population.

Ongoing Care

All peach trees, whether grown organically or not, respond well to both winter and summer pruning, which keeps them looking tidy and manageable and encourages new growth. October is a good time to remove dead branches, which can contain more fungus than living wood. Do not prune branches that help to shade the trunk from sunburn.
To encourage a good crop of the largest fruit possible, thin some of the small developing peaches in April. Keeping developing fruit 8 inches apart is a good amount of space.

References

• How to Grow Organic Peaches
• Where to Buy Organic Peach Trees