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General Information
Group of deciduous trees with stone fruit that are smooth-skinned and sweet. Standard-sized trees grow to about 25 feet tall and wide, but can be pruned to stay 10 to 12 feet tall and wide. Genetic dwarfs grow 5 to 6 feet tall.
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Plant Care Instruction
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- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
January1. BuyBuy bareroot trees in the nursery or online.2. PlantPlant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.3. PruneIf not done last month, prune when dormant. Cut off 2/3 of the previous year's growth. Head back each branch to 1/3, or remove two of every three branches formed, or cut out some and head back others.February1. BuyBuy bareroot trees in the nursery or online.2. PlantPlant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.3. PruneIf not done last month, prune when dormant. Cut off 2/3 of the previous year's growth. Head back each branch to 1/3, or remove two of every three branches formed, or cut out some and head back others.March1. BuyBuy bareroot trees in the nursery or online.2. PlantPlant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.3. FertilizeFeed once with an organic fertilizer designed for fruit trees.4. WaterDuring fruit development, keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water weekly in the absence of rainfall.5. MulchMaintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.6. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for peach leaf curl and brown rot. Peach leaf curl causes curling, thickening and puckering of new leaves. Brown rot is characterized by flowers wilting and dying and twigs breaking and releasing sap.7. Treat for Pest/DiseaseControl peach leaf curl and brown rot by spraying with a fixed lime sulfur or copper spray just as buds begin to swell.8. Special requirementsEncourage the development of large fruit, by thinning fruit when it is 1-inch wide, spacing remaining fruit 8 to 10 inches apart.April1. BuyBuy potted up trees in the nursery or online.2. PlantPlant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.3. FertilizeFeed once with an organic fertilizer designed for fruit trees.4. WaterDuring fruit development, keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water weekly in the absence of rainfall.5. MulchMaintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.6. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for peach leaf curl, brown rot and peach tree borer. Peach leaf curl causes curling, thickening and puckering of new leaves. Brown rot is characterized by flowers wilting and dying and twigs breaking and releasing sap. The first sign of peach tree borers is a jelly-like substance at the base of the tree.7. Treat for Pest/DiseaseControl peach leaf curl and brown rot by spraying with a fixed lime sulfur or copper spray just as buds begin to swell.8. Special requirementsEncourage the development of large fruit, by thinning fruit when it is 1-inch wide, spacing remaining fruit 8 to 10 inches apart.May1. BuyBuy potted up trees in the nursery or online.2. PlantPlant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.3. FertilizeFeed once with an organic fertilizer designed for fruit trees.4. WaterDuring fruit development, keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water once or twice a week in the absence of rainfall.5. MulchMaintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.6. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for peach tree borer. The first sign of peach tree borer is a jelly-like substance at the base of the tree.7. Treat for Pest/DiseaseControl peach tree borer by spraying mid-month the infected trunk with the appropriate pesticide.8. HarvestHarvest when the fruit darkens and the flesh gives slightly to touch.June1. FertilizeFeed once with an organic fertilizer designed for fruit trees.2. WaterDuring fruit development, keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water twice a week.3. MulchMaintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.4. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for peach tree borer. The first sign of peach tree borer is a jelly-like substance at the base of the tree.5. HarvestHarvest when the fruit darkens and the flesh gives slightly to touch.July1. WaterKeep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water twice a week.2. MulchMaintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.3. Treat for Pest/DiseaseControl peach tree borer by spraying mid-month the infected trunk with the appropriate pesticide.4. HarvestHarvest when the fruit darkens and the flesh gives slightly to touch.August1. WaterKeep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water twice a week.2. MulchMaintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.September1. WaterKeep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water twice a week.2. MulchMaintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.October1. WaterKeep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water once a week.2. MulchMaintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.November1. Treat for Pest/DiseaseControl peach leaf curl and brown rot by spraying with a fixed lime sulfur or copper spray once right after leaf drop, and remove all fallen leaves from the area.December1. PrunePrune when dormant. Cut off 2/3 of the previous year's growth. Head back each branch to 1/3, or remove two of every three branches formed, or cut out some and head back others. -
Buy
When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!
January
Buy bareroot trees in the nursery or online.
February
Buy bareroot trees in the nursery or online.
March
Buy bareroot trees in the nursery or online.
April
Buy potted up trees in the nursery or online.
May
Buy potted up trees in the nursery or online.
Plant
When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?
January
Plant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.
February
Plant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.
March
Plant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.
April
Plant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.
May
Plant in a sunny location that has excellent drainage.
Fertilize
When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?
March
Feed once with an organic fertilizer designed for fruit trees.
April
Feed once with an organic fertilizer designed for fruit trees.
May
Feed once with an organic fertilizer designed for fruit trees.
June
Feed once with an organic fertilizer designed for fruit trees.
Water
Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?
March
During fruit development, keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water weekly in the absence of rainfall.
April
During fruit development, keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water weekly in the absence of rainfall.
May
During fruit development, keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water once or twice a week in the absence of rainfall.
June
During fruit development, keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water twice a week.
July
Keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water twice a week.
August
Keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water twice a week.
September
Keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water twice a week.
October
Keep the soil around the base of the tee and out to the drip-line moist, but not soggy. Water once a week.
Prune
When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements?
January
If not done last month, prune when dormant. Cut off 2/3 of the previous year's growth. Head back each branch to 1/3, or remove two of every three branches formed, or cut out some and head back others.
February
If not done last month, prune when dormant. Cut off 2/3 of the previous year's growth. Head back each branch to 1/3, or remove two of every three branches formed, or cut out some and head back others.
December
Prune when dormant. Cut off 2/3 of the previous year's growth. Head back each branch to 1/3, or remove two of every three branches formed, or cut out some and head back others.
Mulch
Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?
March
Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.
April
Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.
May
Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.
June
Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.
July
Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.
August
Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.
September
Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.
October
Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the tree and out to the drip-line.
Pest/Disease Inspection
What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear?
March
Check for peach leaf curl and brown rot. Peach leaf curl causes curling, thickening and puckering of new leaves. Brown rot is characterized by flowers wilting and dying and twigs breaking and releasing sap.
April
Check for peach leaf curl, brown rot and peach tree borer. Peach leaf curl causes curling, thickening and puckering of new leaves. Brown rot is characterized by flowers wilting and dying and twigs breaking and releasing sap. The first sign of peach tree borers is a jelly-like substance at the base of the tree.
May
Check for peach tree borer. The first sign of peach tree borer is a jelly-like substance at the base of the tree.
June
Check for peach tree borer. The first sign of peach tree borer is a jelly-like substance at the base of the tree.
Treat for Pest/Disease
How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements?
March
Control peach leaf curl and brown rot by spraying with a fixed lime sulfur or copper spray just as buds begin to swell.
April
Control peach leaf curl and brown rot by spraying with a fixed lime sulfur or copper spray just as buds begin to swell.
May
Control peach tree borer by spraying mid-month the infected trunk with the appropriate pesticide.
July
Control peach tree borer by spraying mid-month the infected trunk with the appropriate pesticide.
November
Control peach leaf curl and brown rot by spraying with a fixed lime sulfur or copper spray once right after leaf drop, and remove all fallen leaves from the area.
Harvest
When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?
May
Harvest when the fruit darkens and the flesh gives slightly to touch.
June
Harvest when the fruit darkens and the flesh gives slightly to touch.
July
Harvest when the fruit darkens and the flesh gives slightly to touch.
Special requirements
Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories?
March
Encourage the development of large fruit, by thinning fruit when it is 1-inch wide, spacing remaining fruit 8 to 10 inches apart.
April
Encourage the development of large fruit, by thinning fruit when it is 1-inch wide, spacing remaining fruit 8 to 10 inches apart.
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