Planting Peach Trees Properly: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Peach

The peach tree is a very heat-loving plant. But more and more gardeners are trying to grow it on their plots even in cooler regions. How to plant a peach tree correctly in the fall or spring—the primary task for ensuring the crop's survival in severe cold conditions. In addition to choosing favorable days for planting, a specific planting pattern is followed, maintaining the distance between seedlings and their rows.

Optimal planting times

The deciduous peach, a member of the almond family, is a southern, heat-loving crop. Its development requires a high sum of effective temperatures throughout the growing season, the absence of severe frosts, and frosts in spring and fall. It thrives in bright, long-lasting light and maximum warmth, but is sensitive to cold: branches and roots freeze and die. Gardeners are divided on the best time to plant peaches. Some strongly advocate spring planting, while others, equally strongly, advocate autumn planting. Both sides are right, but there are some nuances. Planting peach seedlings in spring is best for regions with a temperate climate:

in the Adyghe Republic with a summer lasting 180 days;
Stavropol Krai without sudden temperature changes;
on the Crimean peninsula with long and hot summers;
near Novorossiysk, where the Caucasus Mountains begin;
in the Kaliningrad region, where there are barely enough truly snowy days for a month.

In all other areas where winter arrives according to the calendar, planting young peach trees in the fall is preferable. During this period, the tree is not subject to attack by parasites: they hibernate and cannot harm the plant. Furthermore, the choice of planting material is much wider in the fall, and the leaves on the branches will clearly indicate the variety.

Choosing a landing site on the plot

This heat-loving crop should be planted in a sunny location, protected from strong winds. If the tree lacks light, it will develop poorly, its crown will form irregularly or become lopsided, and the fruit will be smaller or have a weak flavor. In addition to choosing a planting location based on the impact of external factors on the crown, consider the impact of the soil on the root system. Peach trees should not be planted in waterlogged soil.

For your information!

Proximity to groundwater is harmful to roots. When overwatered, roots are susceptible to rot and other dangerous diseases.

Peaches or nectarines are best planted near the south-facing wall of a building or a fence. The location should receive maximum sun exposure and be free of mature trees with spreading canopies. The wall will provide additional protection from strong winds, and its surface will also reflect heat, warming the plants from all sides. If the site has uneven ground, place the seedlings on a south-facing slope or elevated area. Avoid planting in low-lying areas, as they are prone to flooding, are colder, and lack sunlight.

Peach planting scheme

As the tree grows, it develops a spreading crown. If you plan to plant a single sapling, place it no closer than 2 meters from the walls of a building, fence, or other tall fruit trees. This distance is generally sufficient to develop a well-developed crown for most peach varieties, and the space allows for easy fruit picking and spraying.

When gardeners plan to plant a group of seedlings, they consider their mutual influence on each other as they mature, as well as their interactions with neighboring buildings or other trees. As with single plantings, they are planted 2 meters from existing obstacles. Spaces of 2.5 to 4 meters are left between adjacent trees. The spacing of peach trees depends on the useful area of the plot, but in any case, it's best to plant them further apart—with greater spacing, the peach trees' crowns will develop spreading foliage and won't shade neighboring crops. If seedlings are planted in several rows, space them about 5 meters apart.

Favorable regions

The peach is a heat-loving plant. Its origin is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in China. The mild climate of that country, as well as that of several European countries, makes it easy to grow the tree, which produces very juicy and tasty fruits. In both temperate and cold climates, growing peaches requires selecting frost-resistant varieties and following certain planting and care guidelines.

Southern region of Russia

In warm climates, peach trees are planted primarily in the fall. This allows the root system time to adapt and strengthen before the first frosts arrive. After the first winter, the leaves are treated with a 1% Bordeaux mixture to prevent leaf curl. When planted in spring, protect the tree from the scorching sun in May and June. A light-proof sheet is stretched over the tree. Otherwise, the bark and subcortical layers of young shoots will harden and dry out.

For your information!

The soil around the seedlings should be moistened at least once every four days. Two to three buckets of water should be poured under each plant.

Northern regions and the central zone

Frost-resistant varieties of these sensitive plants have been developed for cold regions. Peach trees can be planted in the Moscow region or central Russia in both spring and fall. Seedlings should root when the soil temperature is at least 12°C. If autumn arrives early or the weather is excessively rainy, it's best to avoid replanting the peach tree; it's best to schedule this procedure for the following spring. In northern regions, seedlings are covered for the winter. This insulation allows the plant to withstand cold temperatures without damaging the root system or trunk.

Features of planting seedlings

Proper peach planting and care will ensure a good harvest throughout the fruiting season. Important factors during cultivation include soil fertility and timely fertilization. To ensure effective seedling growth, nutrients are added immediately upon rooting. In addition to fertilization, special attention should be paid to inspecting the plants for diseases and pests. Timely pest control will not reduce peach yield.

Soil preparation

Peach trees thrive in light soil with good moisture and air exchange. The plant's delicate root system does not tolerate high humidity well. For this reason, they should not be planted in sandy or clayey soil. If such soils predominate in the area, they should be diluted. Accordingly, sand should be added to clay, and vice versa. Loamy and sandy loam soils are ideal for planting peaches.

Preparing seedlings

One- and two-year-old planting stock shows good survival rates. Grafted seedlings purchased from a nursery or garden center are highly resistant to environmental influences. When plants are purchased away from the garden, they are wrapped in a damp cloth and placed in plastic film or a bag. These measures will prevent the root system from drying out. Furthermore, care must be taken to protect the seedling during transportation: the trunk must be securely fastened to prevent it from shifting during transport.

Once the planting material is delivered to the site, the tree isn't immediately removed from its protective "cocoon." It's allowed to acclimatize for 2-3 days, after removing all moisture-consuming leaves and branches. Seedling preparation begins several days before planting. They are removed from the plastic wrap and freed from the damp cloth. Damaged root ends are trimmed back to healthy tissue. Care is taken to ensure the cuts are light and juicy.

For your information!

Two days before planting, place the tree in a container of clean water (preferably rainwater) at room temperature. Immerse the roots and the lower part of the trunk in the liquid.

Planting hole

Before digging the hole in the planting area, prepare the soil. The soil is dug over, removing all weeds. Particular attention is paid to the couch grass roots, carefully cleaning them around the trunk. While digging, add organic matter and mineral fertilizers. Holes should be dug well in advance, approximately 2-3 weeks before planting. Otherwise, the settling soil will drag the seedling down with it, pushing the roots too deep. If spring planting is planned, it's best to prepare the hole in the fall.

The size of the hole depends on the soil fertility, but in any case, it should be at least a third larger than the root system. Arranging the planting hole:

The territory is marked out according to the planting plan.
At the designated locations, dig a hole 70 cm deep and up to 1 m in diameter. As you dig, sort the soil, discarding the top fertile layer separately.
Make a nutrient mixture from soil and organic matter. Add several buckets of humus, 400 g of wood ash, 50 g of superphosphate, and the same amount of potassium sulfate to the fertile soil. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
Drive a long wooden stake into the center of the hole. This will serve as support for the young plant, protect it from strong winds, and maintain its desired shape.
A 10-15 cm thick drainage layer of fine crushed stone, expanded clay or sand is poured onto the bottom.
A mound of prepared nutrient mixture is formed in the hole.

Landing

The seedling is pre-prepared according to the description provided. Step-by-step instructions for further actions:

The roots of the planting material are placed on a prepared cone at the bottom of the hole.
The seedling is placed so that the grafting site is a few centimeters above the ground surface.
Spread the roots evenly over the surface of the mound. The shoots should be free of kinks and sharp bends.
Gradually add nutrient-rich soil, shaking the tree to ensure there are no voids left among the roots. Gently compacting the soil is a good idea.
When the hole is 2/3 full, a bucket of clean, settled water is poured into it.
Continue filling with soil, making sure that the grafting site does not sink into the soil.
Compact the tree trunk circle, moving clockwise, starting from the outer edge, and pour several buckets of water into the center, regardless of the soil moisture.
The specimen is tied to a support with soft twine or wide ribbon.
Mulch the soil around the trunk.

What can be planted next to a peach tree?

All plants emit volatile substances: phenols, alkaloids, and others. These elements can disperse into the atmosphere or soil. It is the nature of the interaction between these substances that determines the compatibility of certain crops. Proper tree placement will help grow strong and productive plants in the garden. Peaches are best planted in groups at least 5 meters away from other fruit trees. This capricious crop does not tolerate proximity to other species. The only exception is almonds, a close relative of the plant.

For your information!

The aversion that the peach tree shows towards other fruit trees is often mutual.

Features of further care

In the fall, before the first frost, a young tree must be covered. The roots and trunk of the plant must be insulated. Before the cold weather sets in, the area around the tree trunk is covered with a 20-30 cm layer of soil. The soil is then covered with a breathable material (burlap or agrofibre). The trunk is whitewashed and protected from rodents with plastic covers or homemade structures.

Transplanting a peach tree to another location

Sometimes it may be necessary to replant trees. The ideal age for a plant to tolerate this process without ill effects is between 5 and 7 years. Older trees have difficulty relocating; they may become ill, stop producing fruit, or dry out quickly. If you need to replant a peach tree, it's best to do so in the fall or choose a cloudy, cool day. First, dig around the plant to a width of 1 m and a depth of about 80 cm.

When digging, it's best to preserve the soil around the tree's roots. Having the familiar soil will allow the plant to adapt more quickly to its new location. During the work, care should be taken to preserve the integrity of the root system as much as possible. To protect the tree from accidental damage, the plant and its root ball are wrapped in a bandage made of polyethylene, burlap, or agrofibre.

The new site is prepared in advance. A hole 90 cm deep and 1 m in diameter is dug. Organic matter and mineral fertilizers are placed at the bottom. The tree is then freed from its support and placed in the hole. The empty space is filled with fertile soil in layers. Each layer is watered with settled water and compacted. After replanting, the lower branches are trimmed to compensate for the loss of some of the root system.

Mistakes when planting crops

Even following the advice of experienced gardeners, novices make mistakes. The most common is preparing the hole just before planting. This will cause the soil to compact excessively and settle. This will cause the root collar to move deeper into the soil. If the root collar is positioned too low, this will slow down the plant's development or even cause the loss of varietal characteristics if the grafting site ends up in the ground.

Excessive amounts of fertilizer applied at planting also negatively impact the development of young peach trees. Fertilizing can kill beneficial bacteria in the soil. These bacteria convert organic matter into a form the tree can digest and maintain elevated soil temperatures. Furthermore, replanting a plant older than two years negatively impacts its survival.