The peach tree is a fast-growing type of fruiting tree that can produce fruit between 3 and 4 years of age from the time it is planted in seed form. However, most planters prefer to buy trees in the form of young seedlings from nurseries or farmers rather than growing trees from seed. Peach trees from nurseries usually produce fruit within one to two years of planting. To learn how to grow a peach tree, a gardener must understand that this sensitive tree requires specific conditions, is susceptible to disease, and is susceptible to insect attack. In order to produce delicious fruit in every season, proper protective measures need to be implemented in peach tree planting.
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Part 1 of 4: Beginning Stage
Step 1. Purchase a peach tree seedling from a nursery or nursery
You can certainly try growing peach trees from seed, but this method takes more time and is more difficult to do. Peach seeds take three to six years to grow into a fruitful peach tree. However, if you buy peach seeds from a nursery, it will only take you about a year before the tree produces fruit.
- If you choose to buy tree seedlings, buy one that has green, thick leaves, and many branches and is healthy.
- If you choose to use seeds, make sure the seeds come from delicious, juicy peaches so that future peach trees will have their beneficial parental traits. Once you find a delicious peach, take the seeds and dry them for a few days. Once the seeds are dry, break the shell and get the seeds inside that are shaped like almonds.
Step 2. If you live in a cold climate, choose peach varieties carefully
Check with a nursery near your home about the types of peaches that will grow most easily in your area. In the United States, peach trees do well in zones 5-9, but the best zones for growth are zones 6 and 7. “Frost” and “Avalon Pride” are two peach varieties that can withstand cold and frost.
If you are looking for peach varieties that can be grown on balconies, patios, or in pots, choose “Pix-Zee” and “Honey Babe”. The maximum height of the two only reaches 1.8 m
Step 3. Plant your tree in early spring or summer
Some sources say that planting peach trees in the spring on the day you get the seeds is the best time to plant them. According to some other sources, summer is also a good time for planting, especially in the middle to the end of the period. Ask a nursery near your home for the best planting time for your peach variety. Most likely, the staff at the nursery can provide you with the right information.
Step 4. Choose a planting area
The peach tree loves the sun; at least six hours of direct sunlight each day is good enough for a peach tree. This type of tree also loves heat, so plant it in the warmest spot in your garden (example: next to a south-facing wall, so your peach tree can receive a lot of reflected heat radiation).
Look for a planting point that is well-draining, sandy, with relatively fertile soil, at the right height to give your tree adequate airflow (and to avoid the risk of frost) and, as mentioned earlier, plenty of sunlight for most of the year
Part 2 of 4: Preparing and Planting Your Tree
Step 1. Prepare a piece of soil with a diameter of 1.5 m or more
Loosen the soil with a garden tiller or hoe. The diameter size is needed to facilitate the spread of roots so as to help the growth of the peach tree. Not only that, grass is a voracious plant; make sure there is no grass at the base of your tree so that the growth of your tree is not disturbed.
Dig 30.5 cm of soil to provide good growth space for the peach tree roots. Spread the roots from the base of the tree; do so carefully so that the roots do not bend
Step 2. Add peat and organic matter such as compost to the soil you have prepared
Mix well, loosen the soil. Then, water the area where you will be planting your peach tree. Just sprinkle a little water; Don't let the soil get too wet.
If your soil's pH is too low (the ideal pH level is neutral), add a little lime to the soil
Step 3. Plant a peach tree in the middle of the area of soil you have prepared
Place the seed in the hole in a small mound of soil, then fill the hole again. Gently compact the soil around your tree with a shovel to strengthen it.
If you have a grafted tree, position the inside of the arch of your graft so that it is not facing the sun
Part 3 of 4: Keeping Trees Healthy
Step 1. Take care of the peach tree
Check your peach tree daily, watering if your tree looks dry. In general, rainwater is sufficient to meet the water needs of the peach tree, but if you live in a relatively dry area, you will have to water it as well.
In addition, to control weeds and provide nutrients, you can use organic mulch. Draw a circle of mulch around the root area 5 cm deep and 1 m in diameter. With adequate rainwater, you can simply wait and watch your tree grow on its own
Step 2. Apply a light pesticide to your peach tree approximately one week after planting to prevent insect and pest infestation
You can also prevent the presence of drill bugs by covering the trunk with a cloth.
- To prevent rodents from coming in, surround your tree with a wire cylinder.
- Use a lime-sulfur spray to increase your tree's defenses against leaf curl, a common tree disease.
Step 3. Add nitrogen fertilizer about twice a year to your peach tree
After approximately six weeks, spread 0.45 kg of nitrogen fertilizer evenly over the planting area to help your tree grow. After the first year has passed, you can reduce the amount of fertilizer to 0.34 kg.
- After the third year, once the tree is mature, add 0.45 kg of pure nitrogen to the soil. Do it in the spring.
- To harden your tree, do not apply fertilizer during the first 2-month winter period or during the fruit ripening period.
Part 4 of 4: Harvesting Your Peaches
Step 1. Prune your tree branches
Make your tree open and centered. After the first year has passed, in the summer, prune the tops of your trees to leave two or three main shoots. A month later, check the progress of your tree. When you have three branches that are wide angles and equally spaced from each other, prune the other branches and keep them as the main branches of your tree.
- A year later, in the summer, prune the branches that grow below the main branches. After that, also trim the branches that grow from the center of the tree to maintain its shape.
- Annual cuts “boost” production rates, not lower them. Annual pruning encourages new growth, allocating more resources to the parts of the tree you want to grow. You will gain 25 to 45 cm of new growth each season.
Step 2. Shred the fruit
Once your trees have flowered-which will take between 4 and 6 weeks-spare fruit by spacing them 15-20 cm apart. This ensures the remaining fruit is large and juicy, and allows sunlight to reach all branches and fruit. Also sparse fruit growing in the shadows. This way, you can allocate nutrients to fruits that will grow faster.
Always provide an “open canopy” for your fruit. Make it so that each branch has access to abundant sunlight. Prune off dead, wilted, and crossed branches to give your fruit plenty of sun
Step 3. Harvest once your fruit is ripe and mature
Observe the fruit on the top and outside of the tree; most likely, the fruits will be ready to harvest first. Once there is no more green residue on the surface, your fruit will be ready to be harvested. Just pull a little and the fruit will be picked.
- Peaches can be injured easily, so be careful when picking them.
- You can store peaches in an open-closed bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or, of course, you can make peach jam.
Tips
- When learning how to grow a peach tree, keep in mind that very moist or poorly draining soil after a rain will not have a good effect on your tree's root system. Peach trees grow well in sandy soil that drains quickly when moistened.
- If possible, apply fertilizer, organic matter and compost two years before planting. You will get soil that is well drained and rich in nutrients.
- Spring is the best time to plant a peach tree as you will be able to get the entire growing season as your tree adapts.
- To ensure the quality of the soil that you will use as your tree planting site, take a sample and test it at the nearest laboratory. Inform them that you will be planting peach trees on the soil, and ask them for recommendations on what ingredients to add to it.
Warning
- Do not plant peach trees at a depth of more than 30.5 cm. If it is too deep, the roots will be damaged and the tree will die.
- Do not expect fruit to appear in the first year. Some peach trees take 2 to 3 years to produce peaches.
- Don't over-water your peach tree. Peach tree roots are very sensitive; too much water will damage it.
- Do not plant your peach tree in an area that is too closed off from the sun. Peach trees need direct sunlight and will not grow well or produce fruit without it.
