Holly's Homestead — Stone Fruit Tree
Peach
Prunus persica · Rose family
DIFFICULTY Moderate
TYPE Deciduous perennial tree
MATURITY 2–3 years to first fruit
TYPE Deciduous perennial tree
MATURITY 2–3 years to first fruit
Sun
Full sun
Water
Regular, deep
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Spacing
4–5m
Depth
graft union above soil
01Chill hours matter
Peaches need a set number of winter chill hours to flower and fruit reliably — check the variety's chill requirement against your local winter before planting.
02Planting
Method
Plant bare-rooted while dormant, graft union above soil.
Soil
Well-drained, fertile.
Timing
Plant in winter while dormant.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Prune annually in winter — peaches fruit on last year's wood, so renewal pruning matters.
- Thin developing fruit to one per 10–15cm of branch for good size.
- Water deeply through fruit development.
- Feed in early spring as buds swell.
04Problems
- Peach leaf curl — distorted, reddened leaves; spray with copper in late winter before buds swell.
- Fruit fly — net or bag ripening fruit.
- Brown rot — fungal fruit rot in humid weather; improve airflow, remove affected fruit.
- Poor fruit set — insufficient chill hours for the variety.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Full colour, gives slightly to gentle pressure, fragrant.
Method
Cup the fruit and twist gently.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Room temperature a few days to ripen further, then fridge up to a week.
Preserving
See Canning & Bottling (bottling a fruit glut) or Dehydrating (dried fruit) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
Recipes
Try our Simple Stewed Stone Fruit — a way to use a glut.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
BasilGarlicAvoid nearby
Tomato (shared disease risk)Rotation note
Not applicable — perennial tree; avoid replanting stone fruit in old stone fruit ground.
