How to grow Peach tree
Prunus persica
Lake country = peach country. Pick hardy.
Peaches need a sheltered, sunny spot and the right variety for your winters — cold-hardy, late-blooming types dodge frost in cooler regions, while warm areas have the widest choice. They're self-fertile, so one tree fruits.
Grow Peach tree with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Peach tree at a glance
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–6.5 |
| Spacing | 15 ft |
| Harvest | August |
| Plant | Spring |
| Pollination | Self-fertile |
How to grow Peach tree, step by step
Pick a hardy variety
- Choose cold-hardy, late-blooming types (Reliance, Contender) for cold-winter areas.
- Peaches are self-fertile — one tree will fruit.
Plant warm & sheltered
- Full sun, well-drained soil, out of the wind.
- Plant in spring and stake the young tree.
Spray, thin & harvest
- A dormant spray in late winter prevents leaf curl.
- Thin fruit to a hand-width apart so the rest size up; pick when fragrant and soft.
Peach tree problems & fixes
Peach tree — Leaves pucker and turn red: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Peach leaf curl. A single dormant-season spray before bud-break prevents it.
Peach tree — No fruit some years: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
A hard frost killed the flower buds. Hardy late-bloomers and a sheltered spot reduce the risk.
Peach tree — Oozing sap at the base: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Peach tree borers. Keep the trunk healthy and check for them in late summer.
Recommended peach tree varieties
- Reliance — Top pick. The most cold-hardy peach — the safe bet for cold-winter areas.
- Redhaven — Standard. The classic freestone peach; productive and widely grown here.
- Contender — Late bloom. Hardy with late bloom that dodges frost — great in cooler regions.
Peach tree month-by-month
| January | Dormant — order. |
|---|---|
| February | Dormant spray for leaf curl; prune. |
| March | Plant new trees. |
| April | Bloom — late bloom dodges spring frost. |
| May | Thin the young fruit. |
| June | Watch for borers. |
| July | Fruit sizing fast. |
| August | Harvest — pick when fragrant. |
| September | Finish harvest; tidy. |
| October | Rake leaves to cut disease. |
| November | Mulch; protect young trunks. |
| December | Dormant — plan. |