Elberta Peach

Why a post on peaches in July? Well anyone who has peach trees growing in their landscape will tell you that the peaches are ready to be picked.   In Tucson? Oooooh yes!!  I have 3 peach trees growing on the property and it's time to enjoy the *excuse the pun* fruits of my labor:)  Peach trees have low chilling hour requirements and make great fruit trees for our Tucson area.  Let's look at the Elberta Peach. 

Of my 3 trees, this variety has produced some of the most delicious peaches.  I wrote about the Red Baron Peach back in February.  While it had beautiful dark and large pink flowers, it hasn't produced any fruit yet.  The Elberta, which I placed into the ground less than a year ago, has produced two crops of fruit!  The above pic is a sample of the profuse pink blooms that covered our tree at El Presidio.

Here is a pic of the fruit in May.  I have about 12 or 13 of these delightful peaches on the tree right now.  Protect them from the extreme wind......and ants:)  It loves full sun with regular watering.  It's a moderate grower with a roundish habit. You can buy this plant as a dwarf, semi-dwarf, or normal size plant.  Mine is a semi-dwarf variety that will reach 12-15 feet.  The tree can get 15-25 feet high with a spread of 8-20 feet .  The chill hours required are listed at 750-800 hours.  Remember that chill hours are anything below 45 degrees during our winter months.  This winter we had A LOT of chill in the air:) However this variety was listed with a chill hour requirement of 450-500 hours.  So far, it has been the best performing peach tree on the property.  I look forward to people sampling the amazing peaches this summer.  Until next time.....