How to Maintain & Care for a Peach Tree
Fresh ripe peaches are a real treat, especially if you can go in the backyard and pick them right from the tree. Peaches are fast growing trees with few special needs. They needs almost a full day of sunlight and should be in well drained sandy loam. The trees are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests, so annual spraying is a must. Also, many animals enjoy peaches as much as we do. Hardy to zones 5 through 8, the tree self-pollinates and produces well if pruned annually. Plant peach trees in the fall. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sand
- Compost
- Shovel
- Bare root peach tree
- Large bucket
- Water
- Fruit tree fertilizer
- Paint brush
- White paint
- Fungicide
- Diffuse sprayer for hose
- Hose
- Pruners
- Horticultural oil
Instructions
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Caring for peach trees
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1
Prepare the soil to the level that you will be planting. Dig a large hole and mix compost and sand into the soil. Ideally the soil should look slightly sandy but hold its shape if you dampen it and clench it in your hand. Amounts will vary depending on soil type.
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2
Remove the tree from the pot and cut away burlap. Soak the tree in a bucket of water for 12 hours. Gently loosen the roots so they spread out in the hole. Fill in the hole so the trees roots are covered but the trunk stays out of the soil. Compact the earth.
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3
Prune back the tree, especially side branches, to give it a compact appearance. This will encourage new growth and ensure a larger crop.
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4
Fertilize about 10 weeks after planting with a 10-10-10 fertilizer, rich in nitrogen. Use about a pound and work into the soil. Thereafter, fertilize with 3/4 pound of fertilizer in spring and again in early summer. Always water fertilizer well.
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5
Paint the trunk white to prevent winter scald, which can kill the bark and interfere with next season's growing. If the tree will be experiencing freezing conditions, cover with a thermal barrier or even a clear plastic bag.
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6
Spray annually before buds form with an organic fungicide as peaches are prone to fungus problems. Spraying with a horticultural oil will help keep insects away.
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7
Prune annually. Prune when plant goes dormant in winter. Prune out dead wood, crossing branches, reduce height by 1/3 and clear the center of the tree for better air circulation.
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1
References
- Photo Credit Peaches closeup image by Tasha from Fotolia.com
