The weather on Long Island (zone 7b) is changing. I can feel spring coming, and my peach tree agrees.
When assessing the backyard the other day, I wandered over to my peach tree to see what was happening. I noticed the tiny buds appearing, signaling that the sweet sounds of birds and the yellow petals of daffodils were near.
I have a love-hate relationship with my peach tree, and she takes more than she gives, that’s for sure. However, when she does give, they come in the form of some of the sweetest and most delicious peaches I have ever tasted.
Which is why I keep her around.
Growing peaches organically is not easy, especially in New York. Our climate here is a breeding ground for peach leaf curl and fungus in general. However, by following a schedule of set spraying, you can mitigate many of the illnesses that afflict peach trees and establish an ample harvest each August.
In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to grow peaches successfully in your garden.
Products on Amazon When Growing Peaches Organically
Getting Started With Growing Peaches Organically
Being a deciduous fruit tree, peaches need full sun and soil that drains well.
Prior to planting your peach tree, make sure the area is bright and protected from strong winds, as these conditions might harm the fruit and delicate blossoms.
I have my peach tree up against a fence which has worked out for me.
Moreover, you should ensure that your soil has good drainage because peaches dislike having their roots sit in moist soil.
Clingstone and freestone peach trees are the two primary varieties to take into account when selecting a tree.
Freestone peaches have flesh that easily separates from the stone, whereas clingstone peaches have flesh that adheres to the stone.
Both types of peaches are wonderful and taste delicious, but freestone peaches are typically easier to prepare for canning because the stone falls out easily.
Planting Your Peach Tree
You’ve selected your location and tree, so it’s time to start planting. Although planting peach trees in the spring is also an option, peach trees are normally planted in the winter when they are dormant.
Before you plant the tree, dig a hole that is approximately the same depth but twice as wide as the root ball. You will want to make sure to fertilize the soil before planting your tree. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and add some compost or aged manure.
Make sure the tree is planted at the same depth as it was in the container, then place it in the hole and cover it with soil. Water the tree well so that the base can retain its moisture.
Fertilizing Your Organic Peach Tree
When growing peaches organically, it’s crucial to feed the tree naturally if you want it to produce fruit. Chemical fertilizers can degrade the soil and weaken your tree’s general health. Use organic fertilizers instead to give your tree the nutrition it requires while preserving the soil’s health.
Before you begin, it’s important o know when and how to fertilize your peach tree.
Your tree will grow robust and yield a lot of luscious fruit if you fertilize at the correct time and in the proper manner.
When to Fertilize Your Peach Tree
Early spring, just as the buds begin to open, is the ideal time to fertilize your peach tree. The tree will benefit from an increase in nutrients at this time as it gets ready to begin developing for the season.
You can fertilize in the late fall after the leaves have fallen if you miss the early spring season. This will aid with your tree’s winter preparation and give it a jump start on spring growth.
When growing peaches organically, you will want to make sure the tree has enough nutrients so that it is healthy which can help battle disease.
How to Fertilize Your Peach Tree
There are numerous organic fertilizers that you can use to nourish your peach tree.
Compost is a great choice because it is nutrient-rich and will help strengthen the soil’s structure.
Compost should be layered around the tree’s base, but keep it away from the trunk.
Using a natural fertilizer made especially for fruit plants is an additional choice. Use a fertilizer that is manufactured with organic materials like fish meal, bone meal, and blood meal. To calculate how much fertilizer to use and how frequently to apply it, you can follow the instructions on the container.
Making sure your tree gets enough water is equally as crucial as fertilizing it. Regular watering of peach trees is necessary, particularly in hot and dry weather.
You can have a plentiful crop of tasty, healthy fruit by utilizing natural fertilizers and taking good care of your organic peach tree.
Once your tree is established, fertilizing every two years is more than enough.
Pruning Your Peach Trees
In order to properly shape the tree and encourage optimal fruit production, pruning is a crucial component of peach tree cultivation.
Peach trees should be pruned in the winter when they are dormant since you can more easily observe the structure of the tree at this time.
Make sure to use a strong set of tree shears for the job.
You want to shape the tree to be open in the center. The goal of trimming is to allow light and air to reach all sections of the tree. This encourages healthy fruit growth and aids in the prevention of illnesses.
Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased wood before you begin to prune your peach tree. Next cut off any branches that are straight up because they won’t likely bear fruit.
Next, cut off any branches that are touching or crossing each other to prevent injuries.
How to Grow Peaches Organically: Peach Tree Spray Schedule
Many peach tree issues can be prevented and controlled with the aid of organic sprays, but for them to be effective, timing is crucial.
When growing peaches organically, use the following spraying schedule:
Dormant Season: To prevent pests and illnesses from overwintering on the tree, treat it with a horticultural oil throughout the winter months while it is dormant. An organic, non-toxic spray called horticultural oil suffocates insects and their eggs. In addition, I spray my tree with a copper fungicide when 90% of the tree’s leaves fall off in Autumn.
Pink Bud Stage: To prevent fungal diseases like peach leaf curl, apply a copper spray when the tree begins to exhibit pink buds but before the flowers bloom. A natural fungicide called copper stops spores from sprouting.
Do not spray the tree when flowers are in bloom. Beneficial pollinators will be making their rounds during this time. Any spraying will be detrimental to those insects.
Petal Fall: When the petals of the flowers have fallen off, use a Spinosad or Neem oil spray to control common insect pests like aphids and mites. These organic sprays work by suffocating insects or disrupting their feeding habits.
When spraying these treatments, I sometimes buy the concentrated variety and use a plastic hose sprayer to apply. Also, although these treatments are organic, I always wear long sleeved shirts and pants as well as a mask. Make sure to apply in the morning with no wind.
Early summer:
- About three weeks after petal fall, spray with a liquid seaweed or fish emulsion fertilizer to provide the tree with a boost of nutrients for fruit development.
Midsummer: In midsummer, spray with a kaolin clay spray to protect the fruits from sunburn and pests like Japanese beetles.
In addition to kaolin clay, these traps are invaluable for controlling beetles in the early spring.
Kaolin clay creates a white film on the fruit that makes it less attractive to pests and reflects sunlight to prevent sunburn.
Common Peach Tree Problems And Solutions
Peach trees can still be susceptible to some issues despite your best efforts. Here are three typical problems that producers of peach trees could have and natural solutions for each:
Peach Leaf Curl: A fungus called peach leaf curl causes peach trees’ leaves to pucker, curl, and turn reddish-purple. Moreover, it may result in fruit drop and lower yields. Apply a copper spray during the pink bud stage to avoid peach leaf curl. Remove and discard any leaves that have become infected with peach leaf curl, and then sprinkle the tree with liquid seaweed as a foliar spray to aid in the tree’s recovery.
Brown Rot: The peach tree’s fruit is susceptible to brown rot, a fungal disease that makes the fruit rot and mummify itself on the tree. Remove any diseased fruit and clip the tree to encourage good airflow to avoid brown rot. To control the disease, you can also spray with a copper spray during the pink bud stage and once more after petal fall. Use a foliar spray of Neem oil to help stop the spread of the disease if you see any indications of brown rot. Remove and discard any affected fruit.
Peach Tree Borer: The peach tree borer is an insect pest that can seriously harm peach plants’ trunks, resulting in dieback and stunted development. To stop peach tree borer, maintain the area surrounding the tree’s base free of weeds and other objects that could serve as a habitat for the larvae. To stop the adults from depositing their eggs, you can either cover the base of the tree in sticky tape or sprinkle kaolin clay on it. If peach tree borer symptoms appear, you might need to use a more specialized insecticide, such as spinosad, to get rid of the bugs.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to grow peaches organically is not easy. It can be time consuming and frustrating. There will be times when you will want to throw in the towel. However, if you are diligent and committed, you will have delicious and healthy peaches to enjoy at the end of the season.
Let us know in the comments below what variety you are growing.
Happy growing!
