How to Water Peach Trees
Watering peach trees has become quite a science. The average peach tree requires approximately 36 inches of water per year with the vast majority of that water needed in the final 60 days of fruit ripening.If you have a backyard "orchard" of one to maybe a dozen trees then watering can be done by hand with a hose. Larger orchards may require an irrigation system. The most efficient system is called trickle/microspray, which can deliver as much as 90 percent of the water to the tree's roots. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Rake a circular area under each tree that is approximately the same diameter as the branches of the tree itself. The purpose of raking is to break the surface of the soil so that water may easily penetrate.
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Provide approximately 2 inches of water per tree per week during the early growing season, starting with the first buds. Keep track of rain totals and use your hose to make up any difference so each tree receives its 2 inches of water per week (2 inches of water over the entire raked area).
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Check with local county agricultural officials to determine approximately when fruit will ripen in your area. Then, 60 days prior to ripening, increase water to 35 to 40 gallons per day. Generally this amount of water is necessary during the months of July and August. Rainy conditions may decrease the amount of hand watering required, but make certain that each tree receives approximately 40 gallons per day, especially during the month of August.
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Tips & Warnings
Fruit size is determined by two things--the amount of water the tree receives during the final 60 days of ripening, as well as the quantity of fruit on each tree. If a tree has set an extremely large number of peaches, it may be necessary to thin just after setting so the tree can concentrate on ripening fewer (but larger) peaches.
Make sure your trees receive sufficient water even before peaches set on tree.
