Plant Peaches – Your Summer Fruit Harvest

If you’re looking for a great fruit option as an addition to meals or snack time, peach fruits would be one of the ideal choices you have. Peach fruits vary in size. They are also very convenient as they can grow in containers. Have them eaten fresh or placed as an addition to your baked goodies, such as pies and cobblers. You may also can these fruits, which are a common delicacy in a lot of regions.

A closer examination of peach fruits.

Peach of Prunus persica is a fruit-bearing tree from the rose family. It bears pink flowers that bloom into the delicious that it is. These peach fruits are a native of China. These usually grow in the majority of the warmer temperate locations of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. In particular, the yellow-fleshed varieties are known to be rich with vitamin A.

Peaches are perennial trees that can grow from around four to six for smaller varieties and a maximum of 25 feet for its typical variety.

Commercial Peach Production

Peach production is common in the United States. In 2017, 690,100 tons of peach were harvested, worth $599 million. California is known to be the leading state in peach production, followed by New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Commercial Value

Peaches are known to provide multiple health benefits. As mentioned, peaches contain Vitamin A. They are best for the eyes, heart, and skin.

Like most organic products, peaches contain antioxidants and choline that help prevent several diseases and complications, such as cancer and diabetes.

If you are thinking of growing your peach tree in your own garden or orchard, these are the general tips you need to know to have healthy and productive peach trees.

In general, peaches need attention, especially in shaping and pruning their form. Caring for peach trees is needed in its first two years of growth.

sliced peach fruits

Light

Peach trees need full exposure to sunlight. Some peach trees that grew in shaded areas usually lose their quality, resulting in the trees becoming more vulnerable to pests and diseases. One great tip in terms of lighting and shading for peach trees is to avoid planting them too near each other, so this would prevent them from shading each other in their mature years. An ideal of 18 feet must be set between peach trees and five feet for dwarf peaches.

Soil type

Peaches typically like their soil sandy and a little bit acidic. It must also be noted to provide adequate drainage for these trees. An organic layer of leaf mold or compost would very much improve the soil’s condition and the plant, in general, as it would help prevent weeds and keep the soil healthy. Also, make sure to plant the trees in elevated locations to avoid the settling of frost.

Propagation

The ideal way to propagate is through a non-grafted tree through its softwood cuttings and the best season to do this is during spring while it’s soft and green. This is done by taking a nine-inch cutting. Roots would be anticipated to form after a month.

You may also opt to grow peach trees from seeds. Bury the seed three inches deep in the outdoors during the fall. Peach growers like you must know that the embryo of the seed can mature in cold winter temperatures. By the spring, the seed is expected to germinate, and you can then transplant the young tree to its permanent location.

Pest Control for Peach trees

One of the most common pests attacking peach trees is the peach tree borer. It is similar to a wasp. They feed on the trunk and roots. When you see a jelly-like sap in the tree, immediately remove the borer with a wire. A fungus may also cause a peach tree leaf to curl, leading to a deformed state of the trees. It is recommended for peach growers to utilize copper-based fungicide. This should be done ideally in late fall or early spring to prevent this fungus or its eventual spreading. If you’re growing some other plants, you may also want to check these DIY pest control tips for your plants.

Harvest season

Peach trees bloom in the spring season. The harvest season for peach trees occurs in the early summer months. In this time, you may then harvest your peach trees, a product of your care, and hard work. You may eat these peach trees raw as a snack or be an additional ingredient for your baked goodies, such as pies and cobblers.

These are usually one of the most-loved flavors across the globe, making peach trees the best option for you to plant in your garden or orchard.