There are few things sweeter and juicier in this world than a fresh peach! Delicious fresh, with yogurt, as a garniture, cooked into a jam, and more, the only thing that can make a fresh peach better is if it’s homegrown.
If the idea of growing your own peach trees and harvesting your own peaches is enticing, you’re in the right place! Fruit trees are usually long-term commitments, but it’s well worth the time if you’re willing to put in the effort.
Keep reading to learn all about peach trees!
Planting Peach Trees
The first in a long line of steps that eventually lead to juicy peaches is planting your peach tree! As with most plants and trees, you can choose to grow from seed or from transplant.
If you’re in it for the long-haul and appreciate a deep connection with nature, consider growing your peach trees from seed, and learn how to do it the right way using my comprehensive guides.
When and Where to Plant a Peach Tree
You can’t just plant your peach tree whenever you want! To avoid gardening disasters, take a look at my post to decide when the best time to plant your peach tree is, and where.
Growing Peach Trees
You’ve done the planting, but don’t get too far ahead of yourself. There’s still some hard work to do before you can taste that first peach harvest!
This post will walk you through everything you should know about growing a peach tree, including the equipment and natural resources you’ll need.
Soil for Peach Trees
Fertilizer for Peach Trees
One of the surest ways to ensure a healthy peach tree is to provide good quality soil. With so many brands on the market, that might seem overwhelming! That’s why I’ve made a list of my recommended soil products.
But if you’re in a rush, take a look at my top three:
Though pruning might seem counter-intuitive to some (why are we cutting healthy branches?!) it’s a very important process in the upkeep of your beach tree’s health. Learn how to do it for yourself in my guide!
Peach Tree Diseases
Peach Tree Pests
Like all fruit trees, peach trees are susceptible to certain pests and diseases. Learn what the most common ones are so you can prepare for the worst, but hope for the best by using the time-tested solution: prevention!
Peach Tree Pollination
One of the great things about peach trees is that most varieties are self-pollinating. What does that mean? And what if you’re growing one of the varieties that aren’t? Learn all that and more in my guide to peach tree pollination.
Harvesting Peaches
Now for one of my favorite parts—the peach harvest!
If you’re a first-time peach grower, you might not know exactly when the right time to harvest your peaches is. If that’s you, then take a look at my post for the best tips to determining your peach’s ripeness. At the end of the post, I even give suggestions on what to do if you pick your peaches too soon.
Harvesting peaches isn’t always the easiest thing. If not done properly, you could risk damaging the fruit, or even the tree. Learn how to do it the proper way with my 6 great tips, and then discover a few bonus tips on what to do with your harvest afterward!
Peaches in the Kitchen
Once you’ve harvested your peaches, it’s time for the best step yet: bringing them into the kitchen!
How Long Do Peaches Last?
Before you get too excited, take a moment to learn about peaches’ shelf life. You wouldn’t want to take too long deciding on a recipe, and make the peaches go bad before you can even use them! Just to be safe, we suggest learning How to Freeze Peaches in case your harvest gets too big one year!
Health Benefits of Peaches
What’s better than discovering that your favorite fruit is also super healthy for you? Discover exactly what’s going on beneath that peachy skin in order to enjoy the next bite all the more.
Here is a medley of my personal peach recipes:
- Fresh Sweet and Spicy Peach Salsa
- Peach Bread Pudding – A Resourceful Use of Leftover Hotdog Buns
- Tempting White Cheddar Peach Grilled Cheese
- Sensational White Peach Sangria
If your eating and cooking simply can’t keep up with your peach tree’s fruit production, learn how to dehydrate peaches and how to freeze peaches for future enjoyment. That way nothing goes to waste!
Peach FAQs
Can my pets eat peaches?
Peach flesh is safe for cats and dogs to consume, though it might upset their stomach and cause diarrhea. However, other parts of peaches, such as the pit, can be highly toxic. For that reason, you should never let your pet each a whole peach.
Can I grow a peach tree at home?
Certainly! Like most fruit trees, growing peach trees at home is a long-term commitment, but one well worth the energy. Check out my growing peach trees section for comprehensive guides.
How long do peaches last?
That depends on the type of peach. Not just the variety, but whether it’s ripe, unripe, whole, cut, refrigerated, and more. Learn all the ins and outs in my post about a peach’s shelf life.
Go Grow Peaches!
Growing a peach tree is a wonderful hobby that leads to plentiful harvests of one of the best summer fruits out there. With a little love and attention, you’ll have your own peaches in no time. Bookmark this page and check back often as you embark on your own peach-growing guide.
In the meantime, check out some of my other favorite fruit trees: