Peach

Growing

When planting peach trees in early winter, prioritize a location that receives full sun and allows for plenty of natural airflow to help regulate the tree's thermal environment. While these trees are hardy enough to survive hard freezes, they are susceptible to leaf curl, a disease that can cause partial defoliation and reduce your overall yield. To manage this, you might consider using copper-based fungicides or Bordeaux mixture. You should also keep a watchful eye for various moth larvae, such as the peach twig borer or peachtree borer, which can damage the wood and fruit.

To ensure high-quality fruit, you must thin the peaches midway through the growing season. If you allow too many fruits to develop on a single branch, the peaches will often be undersized and lack their characteristic flavor. During the summer, maintain a reliable and regular water supply, increasing the amount just before you begin your harvest.

For the best eating experience, harvest the fruit when it is ripe on the tree, as peaches are easily bruised and are most flavorful when eaten the day of harvest. If you have an abundance, you can blanch the fruit before freezing it for later use. Always store your peaches unwashed to help maintain their quality.