How to Grow Peach Trees

While peach trees can be easy to grow, they are susceptible to a variety of insects and diseases that can make their long-term care somewhat difficult and time-consuming. Still, if you love the juicy-sweet taste of fresh-off-the-tree peaches, then the effort involved in planting and maintaining peach trees will be well worth it. While it is possible to grow peach trees from seed, this article will assume that you have purchased a two-year-old tree from your local nursery.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Knife
• Compost
• Dormant oil fruit tree spray
• Tarps

Instructions

1. Dig a hole larger than the root ball of your peach tree in a location which receives full sun. Add compost and water.

2. Free the root ball of your peach tree. Be careful that you do not cut any roots. Keep roots damp at all times.

3. Put the peach tree in the hole, and bury it to the same depth that it was buried to when you bought it. Place a fruit tree fertilizer spike in the soil next to the tree and water thoroughly. Water once or twice each week, depending on weather and soil conditions. Keep the soil moist but not wet.

4. Spray the tree with a dormant oil fruit tree spray each spring before it buds. This will kill insects and many types of peach tree fungus. Use a tarp to protect any surrounding plants from over-spray.

5. Talk with your local nursery about insect and peach tree diseases which are specific to your geographic location and take appropriate action.

Tips & Warnings

• Peach trees start bearing fruit at age 3 to 5.

• When spraying dormant oil do so on a non-windy day to reduce the chances of over-spraying.

• Spray dormant oil before the tree buds.