Peach Trees In Tucson

Hey hey hey!!!  Have you heard?  The peaches are here....the peaches are here.  This year at Presidio all 3 varieties (Red Baron, Elberta and Babcock!) have produced delicious peaches.  The reliable peach over the past two summers has been the Elberta (producing plenty!).  And this year 2 more surprises!  The Red Baron and Babcock both have peaches on them!!!

Babcock Peach

These pictures were taken on 6/30 and they should be ready to eat now.  A couple things to note about growing Peach trees in Tucson.  Like any fruit tree, they will need plenty of water if you are going to have plump and ripe peaches:)  They also surprisingly will take our sun if watered well.  I placed all 3 in different locations around the property.  Two had almost full sun along a water line and the second(the Red Baron) was in some shade.

Red Baron Peach

Now about placement.  Put them along a water line.  All of these trees are dwarf trees which means they'll only grow to about 12 feet.  Perfect height for picking peaches:)  Another reason to plant peach trees?  In Spring, when it's cold(for the desert) and there's nothing on the branches, the first sign that spring is around the corner comes in the color of blooms!!!!  Depending on the variety, the blooms will be red red or a bright pink.  Each bloom represents a peach so protect from winds during this time period.

And what about wildlife vs. the peach?  You all know I am an avid fan of birds and everything else.  Some people have suggested putting brown paper bags over the fruit and leaving a few out for the birds.  Surprisingly it wasn't the bird I had to be weary of.....it was a huge shiny alien green beetle known as the Figeater(I'm calling it Peacheater)!  I came back from my trip last year in July and found that they ate about HALF!!!  the crop.

Elberta Peach

So keep an eye open for these critters in the Tucson area.  A reliable fruit tree for the desert.  Chill hours are the lowest for this particular fruit tree.  Apricots and Nectarines also do very well here.  For two years I've had a few green apricots on the trees but they seem to disappear....hmmmm......now I think a bird may be responsible for these disappearances:)

I look forward to tasting the 3 different peaches as they ripen.  What fruits are growing in your garden?  Would love to hear your favorite seasonal fruit right now or what fruit you've had success with?  More tomorrow....

This Figeater should be called Peacheater:)

Red Baron Peach



The Red Baron Peach, pic taken from my garden in August

I don't know what's not to like about this next fantastic fruit tree. It performed so well here that I bought another tree because it offered so much to the landscape.  The blooms are a beautiful pink in spring with lovely slender leaves forming a month later.  It did excellent in the gardens and also produced fruit its' first year!!  It should be planted in full sun but protected from the afternoon scorch.

Fruit is ready to pick from mid-July to mid-August.  250 chill hours are needed for this delicious peach variety.  Those hours are very low requirements when compared to other fruit trees like the plum or apple. I highly recommend this tree for the zone 9'ers.  If you want something reliable, I think this is your tree.



Spring Blooms

This tree is ideal for Tucson and if you water this tree, it will do well. I wouldn't say xeric for this particular tree, but if you want fresh fruit from your back yard, this tree will not disappoint.  I have seen these trees around town and they are protected by homeowners.  You might even say sacred.  There is nothing better than eating a fresh peach right off the tree. I purchased two size types of this peach tree.  One is the normal size while the other was an "Ultra-Dwarf".  The size of the Ultra-Dwarf should be around 6-8 feet tops and just as wide with the spacing.  The other will reach a height of 16-25 feet.  It is a freestone variety meaning that the pit detaches freely from the fruit without any effort.   I give this tree a 9 out of 10 for beginners as long as they remember to water it.  Some fruit trees require a little effort.  This tree may require more pruning than other fruit trees to prevent branches from snapping off, etc.   A common practice is to prune the peach tree back 2/3rds which will encourage new growth in Spring ....which will ultimately set more peaches on the tree.  I love this tree and the taste of the fruit. It's one of my favorite trees to have in the garden.  Until next time........