Plant care & info

Learn more about: Pruning & Training Fruit Trees.

Download the Organic Care Schedule for more information on treating insect and fungal issues.

Providing fragrant, beautiful blossoms and juicy fruit with incomparable flavor–peaches and nectarines are worth the maintenance it takes to grow them in our climate.

Though they may seem like different fruit, botanically, nectarines are just peaches without fuzz. The major problem that both have in our climate is a fungal disease called peach leaf curl, which infects the bud scales in wet weather as the buds begin to swell in mid to late winter.

Strategies to outsmart this fungus include planting curl-resistant varieties, dormant spraying your tree with a copper-based fungicide, or choosing one of the (very cute) genetic dwarf trees that can be put in a container and wheeled under cover during the wet season.

These trees fruit on one-year-old wood, so annual pruning helps keep the new wood growing. Taking off up to half of the previous season’s growth will help to keep an open center form and also encourage more and larger fruit.

The peaches and nectarines we carry are self-fertile.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PEACHES & NECTARINES

Nectarines

Providing beautiful blossoms and fruit with incomparable flavor, nectarines are worth the maintenance it takes to grow them in our climate.

There are genetic dwarf nectarines available, which reach about 5 or 6 feet. Semi-dwarfing rootstocks such as St. Julian A will produce trees which will only reach 12-15′. Genetic dwarf nectarines are natural dwarf hybrids (they have not been engineered). Genetic dwarfs have been bred to produce normal sized fruit on tightly spaced fruit buds, and require fruit thinning.

These trees are perfect for containers. If the tree is kept in a container it can be moved into a covered area which will help reduce infection of peach leaf curl.

The major problem that nectarines have in this climate is peach leaf curl. It is a fungal disease which infects the bud scales in mid to late winter as the buds begin to swell. Although there are varieties of peaches available which are resistant to the disease, we do not carry many disease resistant nectarines. Cleanliness around infected trees, and dormant sprays with copper help prevent infection.

Click to download this year’s Nectarine Varieties.

Peaches

Peaches and nectarines are almost identical; the major difference is the fuzzy skin of the peach versus the waxy, smooth skin of the nectarine. Providing beautiful blossoms and fruit with incomparable flavor, peaches are worth the maintenance it takes to grow them in our climate.

There are genetic dwarf peaches available which only reach about 5 or 6 feet. Semi-dwarfing rootstocks such as St. Julian A will produce trees which will only reach 12-15′. Genetic dwarf peaches are natural dwarf hybrids (they have been selected not engineered). These selections are then grafted onto a standard rootstock. Genetic dwarfs have been developed to produce normal sized fruit on tightly spaced fruit buds. Therefore they require fruit thinning. These trees require little pruning and are perfect for containers.

The major problem that peaches have in this climate is peach leaf curl, which is a fungal disease which infects the bud scales in mid to late winter as the buds begin to swell. There are varieties of peaches available which are resistant to the disease. Cleanliness around infected trees and dormant sprays with copper help prevent the disease.

If your tree does get it, feed it with a high nitrogen fertilizer when the first set of leaves drop (a second set of leaves will be produced). Peaches bear fruit on the previous year’s growth, so it is important to get as much growth as possible in the spring.

Click to download this year’s Peach Varieties.

Organic Care Schedule

Apricots, nectarines, and peaches are not the easiest fruit to grow in our area, but can be done with the right conditions and care. When choosing and planting trees, follow the guidelines in Your Organic Orchard. Also,

These fruits need long, hot summers to ripen; make sure they get good sun and heat.
Check peach and nectarine tags for cultivars resistant to peach leaf curl, our most prevalent problem.
Sheltering peach and nectarine trees from rain in the late winter/early spring can reduce peach leaf curl infection. This could mean planting in a movable container or building a small temporary cover.
Apricots bloom early enough that late frosts can damage the blooms, so choose your location wisely!
Avoid planting (or monitor) closely related ornamentals like English laurel, ornamental or flowering cherries and plums, which can harbor pests and diseases.

In our area peach leaf curl is a major problem of peaches and nectarines, especially while the trees are young. Dormant spraying during at least the first few winters is recommended to prevent infection; reactive spraying can reduce but not eliminate the infection. These trees also commonly see brown rot/blossom blight, aphids, powdery mildew, and shothole funguslcoryneum blight. Always identify pests and diseases before spraying.