Cool Temps, Bare Roots Are Peachy

Question: Are peach trees best planted bare-root or from a container? What varieties do well in Orange County?

M.C., Santa Ana

Answer: Bare-root trees are the better way to go. Not only are they cheaper (10% to 40% less) than ones in containers, but they have straighter, healthier roots and are quicker to acclimate to their new locale.

January and February are the bare-root planting months. The key is to shop early for the best selection.

Like most deciduous fruit trees, peach trees have a minimum chill requirement, a growing period between 34 and 54 degrees. Peaches requiring 200 hours of chill should fruit without fail here.

The following are peach varieties that do well in Orange County, along with their estimated minimum chill requirement (peaches that bloom midsummer tend to have the best taste):

* Babcock (250 minimum chill hours required). Medium-sized fruit with red-blushed white skin and white flesh. Ripens early July.

* Bonita (350). Large fruit with red blushed yellow skin and yellow flesh. Ripens late July. Great peach with good flavor. Avoid planting on hilltop locations.

* Eve’s Pride (100-200). Medium to large free-stone peach with yellow flesh. Best early peach (ripening in early June). Some feel it has a bland flavor because it ripens so early.

* Mid Pride (250). Medium to large free-stone peach with yellow flesh. Great quality. Ripens in late June and is highly recommended for inland areas.

* Red Baron (250). Large free-stone peach with yellow skin and flesh. Excellent quality. Ripens in July.

* Santa Barbara (350-400). Large fruit with red blushed yellow skin and flesh. Great quality. Avoid growing on hilltops.

* Tropic Snow (200). White free-stone peach with great flavor. Ripens in mid-June.

* Desert Gold (250). This peach produces fruit in early May. Can have poor taste if it ripens too early.

Caring for Peach Trees

Peaches bear fruit on twigs and branches that grew during the previous summer, and benefit from heavy pruning.

Once fruit sets on the tree, it will enlarge to an inch or so in diameter and will then go into a resting stage lasting a week or more, depending on the variety. This is when you should thin the fruit.

Thin so that there are 6 to 8 inches between each fruit. If you have heavy fruit set, thin to 10 inches apart. Not thinning will lead to numerous but small fruit, and heavy fruit production can cause branches to break.

In most free-stone varieties, the fruit is mature when the pit does not adhere to the flesh. Cling, stone or canning varieties are usually ready to harvest when the fruit breaks away from the stem when picked. Pick when peaches are still somewhat firm and not really soft. The fruit should yield to gentle hand pressure. If not completely ripe, they should be placed in a paper bag to finish ripening.

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Have a Problem in Your Yard?

University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners are here to help. These trained and certified horticultural volunteers are dedicated to extending research-based, scientifically accurate information to the public about home horticulture and pest management. They are involved with a variety of outreach programs, including the UCCE Master Garden hotline, which provides answers to specific questions. You can reach the hotline at (714) 708-1646 or send e-mail to ucmastergardeners@yahoo.com. Calls and e-mail are picked up daily and are generally returned within two to three days.