What could be better than being able to walk out to your garden and pick your own peaches at there freshest and tastiest time. Food tastes better when you've nurtured it and watched it grow to a fully matured plant.
Planting Calendar
Peaches should be planted from June through to the end of August.
Harvest In
1 - 3 Years
Peaches will be ready to harvest 1 to 3 years after planting. Harvest when fruits give a little when gently squeezed in early autumn.
Prepare
Planting should be done in winter when the trees are fully dormant (when they have completely lost their leaves for the season). This is also the best time of year to buy your plants as this is when we have the greatest selection instore.
Position
Choose a position that gets full sun, or at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, protection from wind is also ideal. Plant at least 4 metres apart from other fruit trees, giving them enough space to mature. However, dwarf varieties can be planted in large pots, or spaced 2 metres apart.
Soil
When planted into the ground Nectarines like a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains added water storage crystals and Saturaid, two products that help maintain moisture in the soil.
Pollination
Most Peaches are self fertile with the exception of dwarf varieties, which fruits better when planted with another peach or nectarine variety.
Plant
When planting into the ground, gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plants root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Sheep Pellets and Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser , then mix together well. Back fill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Insert a hardwood stake next to the plant, being careful not to damage the roots, and tie the tree to it for support with tree-tie. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and will help to break down the clay. When planting into containers, plant in Kings Containers mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster.
Care
Watering
Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soils surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. If planted in pots never allow the pot to sit in water.
Feeding
When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health.In addition, apply Kings Citrus and Fruit Tree Fertiliser in spring and again in autumn to provide the plant all the nutrients it needs. If planted into a container feed every 3 months with Kings Slow Release Citrus Food, along with monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster this encourages strong roots and a healthy immune system.
Protecting
Protect against birds by draping Bird Netting over the tree as the fruit ripens. Protect from Guava Moth from September through till February use Guava Moth traps to monitor the number of moths present. Place the trap halfway up the tree. One trap will be sufficient for 4 trees. Remember to replace the Pheromone every 6 weeks for best results. If there are only small numbers present the trap should be sufficient to control the problem. If you catch more than 12 moths in a 2-week period, spray trees thoroughly with Success Ultra. Spray no more than 4 times in a season
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (make sure that the mulch does not come into direct contact with the stem of the plant) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to retain moisture.
Spraying
Stone fruit need a regular spray program, used for prevention rather than trying to treat the problem once it is active. At a minimum spray with FreeFlo Copper as per the instructions.
Pruning
The best time to prune your apple tree is in mid-winter, pruning up to a third of the total growth each year. Always prune your trees on a fine day. • Remove all diseased, damaged and dead wood. • Remove any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. • Remove all water shoots (long growth sprouts that grow straight up vigorously). • Remove branches that are growing back into the center of the tree, creating an open vase shape. • Always remove major branches by cutting flush to the trunk. • Smaller cuts should be made on an angle about 15mm above an outward facing bud to promote growth away from the centre of the tree. • Seal cuts above 15 mm in thickness with a pruning paste such as GroSafe Organic Pruning Paste.
General Care
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Beginner Tip
For smaller gardens purchase a double grafted tree, This has two different varieties growing on the one trunk.
Expert Tip
Often a large amount of fruit will set from the blossoms. However, letting these all mature poses a risk of small maturing fruit, high humidity levels causing disease, and branch breakage due to heavy crops. To alleviate this problem, thin (remove) immature fruit by up to a half or at least a one third..
Tip
For pest or disease diagnosis contact our online Plant Doctor for advice.
Top Varieties
Dwarf Bonanza
Very striking when in full flower, yellow freestone peach with a red blush sweet and refreshing. Grows 2m x 2m.
Dwarf Honey Babe
Medium to large fruit with orange sweet flesh. Lovely pink flowers. Grows 2m x 2m Best planted with another peach or nectarine for pollination.
Blackboy
A old favourite with port wine skin and red flesh. Great for jam and bottling. Producing fruit late in the season.(February).Growing 3-6 m
Scarlett O’Hara
Has large white flesh fruit with pink-red skin. Ripening mid season (Jan) Growing 3-6m
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant a peach tree?
The best time to plant peach trees in Auckland is during late winter to early spring (July to September) when the tree is dormant and the soil is workable.
What type of soil is best for peach trees?
When planted into the ground Nectarines like a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains added water storage crystals and Saturaid, two products that help maintain moisture in the soil.
How often should I water my peach tree?
Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soils surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. If planted in pots never allow the pot to sit in water.
How do I know when my peaches are ready to harvest?
Peaches will be ready to harvest 1 to 3 years after planting. Harvest when fruits give a little when gently squeezed in early autumn.
How do I protect my peach tree from pests and diseases?
Regularly inspect your tree for signs of pests like aphids and diseases like peach leaf curl. Use organic insecticidal soap for pests and apply a copper-based fungicide during the dormant season to prevent fungal diseases.
