Nectarine Care

Water deeply after applications of fertilizer.Water young trees with an inch of water once per week and mature trees with an inch of water once every few weeks.

Prune the tree yearly during the winter to remove diseased or dead wood and to remove upright, central shoots from the trunk. This practice maintains a vaselike shape that allows light into the crown of the tree, maximizing the fruit's sunlight exposure during the growing season.

Fertilize every March and May with 3/4 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer, starting in the second year after planting the fruit tree. Use a granular, slow-release fertilizer sprinkled evenly 12 inches away from the base of the trunk.

Choose a planting site in a full-sun location. Like most fruit trees, nectarines thrive in a sunny environment that's protected from strong winds.

Find a well-drained sandy soil. A nectarine tree's ideal growing medium is a well-drained sandy soil that has a pH between 6 and 7. If your soil has poor drainage, plant your nectarine tree in a raised garden bed or a container filled with a sandy, fertile soil or potting mix.

In order to grow effectively, most nectarine varieties also require a cold dormancy period with winter temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Each type of nectarine tree requires a different chill hour requirement or time spent below a certain temperature.

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