How to Grow a Nectarine Tree

The nectarine tree is in the prunus family -- the same as an apricot, plum, or almond tree and even the lovely rose! It is a decorative tree that blooms with light, medium or dark pink flowers in the springtime. Fruits are decorative, delicious and healthy to eat. And the nectarine tree is easy to grow.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Nectarine tree orchard

   First, you will want to choose a variety that will do well in your area. There are many named cultivars to choose from, so you might want to check with your local garden center or surf on the internet for a little research to find the best for your locale before buying your tree.

2. The best time to plant nectarine trees is in the autumn and winter if you live where frost is mild. Early spring is a good time in all locations and the best choice for areas where soils freeze -- as soon as the soil is workable. But you are okay planting them at any time of the year so long as the ground isn't icy or the soil doesn't become hot and dry.

3. Plant your nectarine tree like any other tree in a hole that is twice as wide as deep. In the cool months you might be able to find bare-root trees with a better selection and price than the potted ones available during the active-growth months of the year.

4. Nectarines

   Nectarines are grown pretty much the same as peach trees. They are closely related. Give them plenty of sun, well draining soil and regular fruit tree food in the spring and summer when in full growth.

5. Trim your nectarine tree to a vase shaped form. Nectarines are in a group called the 'stone' fruits -- fruits with big pits like apricots and plums. All these trees do best trained with no central branches. The idea is to let the sun shine into the center of the tree to ripen the fruit from the interior as well as the exterior.

6. If you live in a windy area, you will want to stake and tie your nectarine tree to support it when young. If you do stake your tree, remove the stakes within a year or two to allow motion and the proper development of roots. Set your tree with roots spread comfortably throughout the hole, back fill (including the base of the stakes) and water it in well.

7. In the late autumn and winter, when the tree is dormant, treat the tree with dormant oil sprays to kill overwintering diseases and pests. Follow the instructions on your spray. Check for other local pests and problems in your area that may also require treatments.

8. Pink bud of a nectarine flower.

   Nectarines are tasty, nourishing fruits. The trees are pretty enough to be highly decorative in the landscape with colorful spring flowers, dangling fruits in the summer and red and yellow foliage in the autumn. Use them as single trees or group them in an orchard with other fruit trees.

Resources

• Gates & Croft Horticultural Design Ideas & Info.