How to Plant Dwarf Nectarine Trees

Grocers market nectarines as a different fruit from a peach.

A nectarine tree is a member of the peach tree family that produces fruit with smooth skin, and a dwarf nectarine tree has an adult height under 6 feet. Horticulturalists typically achieve this result by grafting a scion with the desired fruit characteristics onto a dwarf rootstock. Dwarf nectarine trees are most common in backyards, where growing space is limited. The environmental conditions for growing a dwarf nectarine are generally the same as those of a full-size nectarine tree except for the reduced space requirements.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Compost
• 10-10-10 fertilizer

Instructions

1. Check your climate. A dwarf nectarine tree can bear fruit in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 8, which is a relatively narrow range. The minimum temperature during the winter should be above minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Select a suitable dwarf nectarine tree from the nursery. This should be a one-year-old tree with a height of 3 to 4 feet. The tree should have a well-developed root system and a trunk thickness at least 3/8 inch. Most nectarine trees are self-fertile, but check with the nursery to be sure. This will ensure you can get fruit with only one tree.

3. Prepare the planting site. Ensure the dwarf nectarine tree will have full sun when it reaches its adult height of less than 6 feet. The soil should be sandy loam that drains water from the surface within one hour after a heavy rain. Dig a soil bed with a shovel at least 10 inches deep with a diameter of at least 5 feet. Add a layer of compost to the soil bed.

4. Plant the dwarf nectarine tree in the center of the prepared area, ensuring that the bud union is at least one inch above soil level. Pat the soil down, and water the soil bed thoroughly.

5. Apply 10-10-10 fertilizer 10 days after you plant the dwarf nectarine tree. Spread 1/2 pound of the fertilizer around the tree without getting it closer than 1 foot from the trunk. Repeat this step in 30 days.

6. Apply 3/4 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer in March and May of the second and third years after planting the dwarf nectarine tree. Increase the application to 1 pound beginning with the fourth year. The May application may not be necessary if the tree has a good fruit yield.

References

• Ohio State University: Growing Peaches and Nectarines in the Home Landscape
• BackyardGardener.com: Prunus persica nucipersica ( Nectarine Tree )