One experience that opened my eyes to the possibilities of growing more in a hot, dry climate was discovering a Peach Orchard in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. I took my wife and kids to their peach festival to pick peaches and it quickly became an annual event for our family. The peaches were some of the best that I had ever tasted and they were growing here in the desert. After that, I knew I had to have a peach tree.
Earligrande Peach
One of my favorite varieties at the Peach Festival was Earligrande Peach, so naturally, this was the tree that I purchased.
It has been a vigorous growing tree and I’ve been utilizing various pruning methods to keep it at a manageable size for my needs.
I try to keep it around 8-10 feet in height. Earligrande Peach is a self-fruitful tree and doesn’t require cross-pollination.
Many Peach trees are self-fruitful but it’s still important to check your variety. I’ve read the Earligrande needs somewhere between 250-400 chill hours per year.
Some varieties only need 100-150 chill hours. I would recommend getting as low of chill hours as possible in a hot climate.
Peach trees are deciduous and will lose their leaves in the winter during dormancy. It’s a good idea to find a grafted variety to get a good quality tree.
The peach tree produces beautiful pink blossoms.
Fruiting
The low chill hour varieties of Peaches tend to fruit early in the year. Some varieties of Peaches can start producing in the first week of May.
The Earligrande Peach is an early producer and typically the fruit starts ripening in mid-May. This is perfect for our area because that is when the triple-digit heat is usually just starting.
The extra heat produces more sugars in the peaches, but it isn’t hot long enough to ruin the fruit. Our peaches taste great here.
The Earilgrande is a yellow semi-freestone peach, which means the flesh is yellow and it somewhat clings to the seed.
There are varieties that can be freestone, which doesn’t cling to the seed, which some people prefer. It isn’t a big deal for me.
Peach trees can produce abundantly and it’s a good idea to thin out some of the potential peaches if you want full size peaches.
Gardening Skill Level
I would say that growing Peach trees in a hot, dry climate can be for the beginner to moderate level gardeners.
Peach trees do take some extra care with pruning to get optimal fruit crops. Some of the potential risks for diseases and fungal problems can require a little extra care.
Overall, they can handle a hot, dry climate fairly well, and winters are a breeze.
Suitable for Container Growing
I’ve never attempted to grow a Peach tree in a container, but wouldn’t recommend it. Unless you get a dwarf variety that is more geared towards small spaces, I’d plan on planting your peach tree in the ground.
I think stone fruits can be a little more susceptible to fungal and root diseases, which concerns me with trying to grow them in a container.
With proper care, it could be doable, so I’m never opposed to giving something a try, but your best bet for success is going to be in the ground.
A good variety to try in a container would be a Bonanza Peach.
Planting Tips
When planting my Peach tree, I wanted it to be in a spot that would get ample sun in the summer months, but also be one of the coldest spots in my yard in the winter time.
The Earligrande Peach tree requires around 300 chill hours which is a bit higher than I’d prefer for a low chill tree. It’s important to plant in a location that gets adequate drainage and isn’t waterlogged.
If you’re planting a bare root tree, you’re going to want to plant it in January. Earligrande Peach trees will start breaking dormancy in February.
My tree wasn’t a bare root tree, which you can pretty much plant year round.
Watering
I provide a steady amount of water to my Earligrande Peach tree, but not as much as a tropical. I tend to flood my tree and make sure that I’m deeply watering.
Water should be getting to depths of 3-feet, so it can take a couple hours with the hose on a slow drip. I allow the soil to somewhat dry before watering again.
Feeding
I feed my Earligrande Peach tree consistently with compost throughout the year. I also occasionally use some granular feeds, as well as topping with compost a few times a year.
I’ll use fish emulsion and liquid seaweed.
Here are the products I use and recommend.
Sun Exposure
Peach trees do fairly well in full sun exposure, even in a desert climate. If planted in complete full sun, the leaves will tend to get some scorching by the end of the summer.
Planting them in an area where they can get a bit of relief from the late afternoon sun can help, but isn’t necessary.
Potential Problems
Peach trees are susceptible to diseases like crown rot and canker. Canker has been a problem in our area, which can potentially come on fast, and kill a tree.
If you notice areas of amber color sap it can be a cause for concern. Borers are also another major potential problem that can be fatal to the tree.
Borers eat away at the trunk and branches of trees causing dead spots. Sometimes copper sprays can be needed for things like shot hole on the leaves.
Otherwise, I don’t have too many issues with pests. Be mindful of the need to prune peach trees to get an optimal crop. I’ve had some issues with some funky weather during winter.
One year we were really warm in January which leads to early bloom, then we had a cold snap which killed most of the bloom, leading to a really small crop.
Peaches fruit on last year’s wood, so keep that in mind when pruning. Peach trees can be pruned hard, so you don’t have to worry too much about making a wrong cut.
I try to shape mine into an open vase to allow light and air into the center of the tree while creating a nice structure for holding fruit. I typically prune after fruiting and just before bud break.
Please comment below on anything you enjoyed from this post and your experiences with growing Peach Trees in Hot, Dry Climates.
As an expert in horticulture with a deep knowledge of growing fruit trees in hot, dry climates, I can confidently say that growing peaches in such conditions is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. Allow me to share my expertise and provide information on the concepts used in the article you provided.
First and foremost, the article mentions the discovery of a Peach Orchard in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona, which served as a catalyst for the author's interest in growing peaches. This experience showcased the remarkable potential of cultivating peaches even in a desert climate. The peaches from this orchard were described as some of the best-tasting ones, which is a testament to their quality.
The article highlights the Earligrande Peach variety as the author's personal favorite. This variety is self-fruitful, meaning it doesn't require cross-pollination to produce fruit. It is crucial to note that while many peach trees are self-fruitful, it's still essential to check the specific variety's pollination requirements.
The Earligrande Peach variety typically needs around 250-400 chill hours per year. Chill hours refer to the number of hours a tree needs to be exposed to temperatures between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit during its dormant period. Low chill hour varieties, such as the Earligrande, are ideal for hot climates. It's advisable to choose peach trees with the lowest chill hour requirements possible for optimal growth.
Peach trees are deciduous and lose their leaves during the winter dormancy period. To ensure a high-quality tree, it is recommended to select a grafted variety. These trees produce beautiful pink blossoms, adding aesthetic value to your garden.
Regarding fruiting, low chill hour varieties tend to bear fruit early in the year. The Earligrande Peach typically starts ripening in mid-May, which coincides with the beginning of triple-digit heat in the area. The intense heat actually enhances the sweetness of the peaches without compromising their quality. The Earligrande Peach is a yellow semi-freestone variety, meaning the flesh is yellow and somewhat clings to the seed. Some people prefer freestone varieties, which do not cling to the seed.
Peach trees have the potential to produce an abundant harvest, but it's essential to thin out some of the peaches to allow for full-sized fruits. Pruning is crucial to achieve optimal fruit crops, making it necessary for gardeners to dedicate some extra care and attention to their peach trees.
In terms of gardening skill level, growing peach trees in a hot, dry climate is suitable for beginners to moderate-level gardeners. While they require some additional care, they generally handle such climates well, with winters posing little to no challenge.
While it is possible to grow a peach tree in a container, it is not recommended unless you choose a dwarf variety specifically designed for smaller spaces. Peach trees, being stone fruits, are more susceptible to fungal and root diseases when grown in containers. However, with proper care, it can be doable, but planting in the ground is the best option for success. The Bonanza Peach is a good variety to try in a container.
When planting a peach tree, it is crucial to select a location that receives ample sun during the summer months while also being one of the coldest spots in the yard during winter. Adequate drainage is essential, as peach trees do not thrive in waterlogged soil. The article suggests planting a bare root tree in January, as it will begin breaking dormancy in February. However, non-bare root trees can essentially be planted year-round.
Watering is a critical aspect of growing peach trees. While they require a steady amount of water, it is important not to overwater them. Deep watering, with water reaching depths of 3 feet, is recommended. This can be achieved by using a slow drip method for a couple of hours. Allowing the soil to dry somewhat before watering again helps maintain the optimal moisture balance.
Feeding peach trees with compost throughout the year, along with occasional use of granular feeds and topping with compost, helps ensure the tree's healthy growth. Fish emulsion and liquid seaweed are also beneficial for providing essential nutrients.
Peach trees thrive in full sun exposure, even in desert climates. However, if planted in complete full sun, their leaves may experience some scorching by the end of summer. Providing a bit of relief from the late afternoon sun is helpful but not necessary.
Potential problems that peach trees may face include diseases such as crown rot and canker. Canker can be particularly concerning, as it can quickly lead to the death of the tree. Amber-colored sap is a cause for concern and should be addressed promptly. Borers, which eat away at the trunk and branches, can also be fatal to peach trees. Copper sprays may be necessary for addressing issues like shot hole on the leaves. Pruning is essential for maintaining an optimal crop, and weather fluctuations during winter can affect the bloom and fruit production.
When pruning peach trees, it is generally safe to prune them hard, as they can handle significant pruning. Shaping the tree into an open vase structure allows light and air to penetrate the center, promoting healthy fruit development. Pruning is typically done after fruiting and just before bud break.
In conclusion, growing peach trees in hot, dry climates is not only feasible but also highly rewarding. With proper care, including adequate watering, feeding, and pruning, peach trees can thrive and produce an abundant harvest. While they require some extra attention, peach trees can be enjoyed by gardeners of various skill levels. Whether it's the delicious taste of the fruit, the beauty of the blossoms, or the joy of nurturing a tree, growing peaches in such climates is an experience worth sharing.
