Elberta Peach Care

Water the 'Elberta' peach tree every seven to 10 days when rainfall drops below 1 inch per week. Peach trees need up to 40 gallons of water per day in the heat of summer. Watering around the drip line for about 20 minutes once a week usually gives the tree enough to thrive.

Prune the tree to maintain its shape and style, which is usually an open center system for 'Elberta' peach trees. Remove about one-half of new growth each year and any damaged or dead branches. Use pruning shears for branches under 3/4 inch and lopping shears for branches up to 2 inches in diameter. Make heading cuts about 1/4 to 1/2 inch above a bud with the cut sloping away at a 45-degree angle.

Spread a 3-inch layer of mulch, such as shredded hardwood or bark chips, over the planting site. Keep the mulch pulled back at least two inches from the base of the trunk. Reapply mulch every spring to maintain a 3- to 4-inch layer. Broadcast 12-12-12 fertilizer under the drip line of the tree starting six inches away from the trunk. Use 1 pound per year of age of the tree, up to 5 pounds. Apply the fertilizer before spring growth begins and water the area to push it into the soil.

Peach trees need full sun. Those grown in shade lose their vigor, making them susceptible to pest and disease problems.

Peach trees need good drainage, and like their soil on the sandy side. Adding an organic mulch like leaf mold or compost helps suppress weeds and keeps the soil healthy and slightly acidic.

Peaches like moderate temperatures and generally grow best in USDA growing zones 5-8. However, you can select more cold or heat-tolerant varieties to expand the growing zone to include zones 4 and 9.

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