Peach trees can be planted in December through February, while still dormant. The peach trees are usually delivered in late December or at the beginning of January. You will then be able to see the historical chill hours within your area, which can be used as thresholds to select the best varieties suited for your location. To calculate the chilling hours, choose dates from October 1 to February 15. Within this system, click on the location that is closest to you and look for the link to the chilling hours calculator. You can find this information using the Georgia Weather System. A chill hour is the amount of time that the temperature is between 32 degrees F and 45 degrees F. Each variety has a different chill hour requirement that has to be satisfied to enable normal plant growth and fruiting. One of the main factors to determine if a peach tree is adapted to a location is the chill hours. You can ask the nursery to help you identify good varieties that will grow with fewer problems at your location. Many nurseries will have a catalog with a detailed description for each variety, including the rootstocks that are available. Ideally, you should preorder your peach trees to obtain the rootstock/scion combination you want from a nursery. Soil pH for peach trees should be between 6 and 6.5. The soil test results will provide you with a recommendation based on the crop and your soil conditions. Mix the soil together in a clean, non-metal container and place 3-4 handfuls of this mix into the bag for the soil test. Using a soil probe, collect the soil from several different locations at a depth of 6-8" to obtain a proper soil sample. You can locate the closest county office with the online directory. Soil testing kits can be obtained from your local UGA Extension office. This is particularly important because modifying soil pH in deeper profiles is very difficult after planting. Test the soil prior to planting, as an adequate adjustment of pH and fertility may be required. If the garden is on a slope, the peach trees should be planted on the side of the hill to diminish the effects of the wind and cold. It is important to protect the trees from winter winds. Peach trees on Sharpe and on MP-29 rootstocks (semi-dwarf) will spread 12-15 feet, while standard trees will be twice the size (such as in Guardian, Halford, and Nemaguard rootstocks). This amount of sunlight will assure sufficient photosynthesis and promote tree health and vigor.Īnother aspect to think about when choosing the site is the tree size. Peach trees need to have sun from 8 to 10 hours per day. Poorly drained soils can lead to poor tree growth and often times tree death. Peach trees require a site with well-drained soil and ample sunlight. Choosing a SiteĬhoosing the right place for a fruit tree to grow is very important for overall success. Photos courtesy of the Georgia Peach Council. In the fall, the foliage will turn reddish-orange until finally dropping at the end of the fall.Ī peach orchard changes depending on the season. Fruit will continue to mature until ripening. In the summer, ovaries from pollinated flowers will swell forming small fruit. After blooming, the green foliage will emerge. In the spring, the tree will bear pink flowers. The peach tree will change throughout the growing seasons. If you are located in south Georgia, you may find other rootstocks in addition to the ones described above, such as Flordaguard and Sharpe. The rootstocks currently available are Guardian, MP-29, Halford, and Nemaguard. It is important to make sure that you have the best rootstock for your area. Normally, the rootstock has been bred and selected for adaptation and resistance/tolerance against soil pests and diseases for the location. This rootstock can be grown from seed or through clonal propagation. The tree is composed of a scion (shoot) of a particular cultivar (i.e. Peach trees should be purchased from reputable nurseries to assure healthy trees of the desired cultivar/rootstock combination.
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