A Guide to Frost-Proof Peach Trees
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While there is no such thing as a completely frost-proof peach tree, the Frost peach tree differs from other varieties because it’s resistant to frost and peach leaf curl. It can thrive in slightly colder climates than other peach tree cultivars, though it still requires a good deal of maintenance to bear fruit.
If you live in a state with a warm or moderate climate, read our guide to learn how to properly plant and care for a frost-proof peach tree.
Frost Peach Tree Overview
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Fruit size |
2–3 inches in diameter |
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Fruit uses |
Eat raw or in a recipe like peach cobbler |
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Fruit color |
Red and yellow blush skin, yellow flesh |
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Fruit texture and flavor |
Fuzzy texture outside and juicy inside, sweet flavor |
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Region |
South, West Coast |
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Hardiness Zone |
5–9 |
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Growing season |
Blooms in early spring, pick in July or August |
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Resistance |
Peach leaf curl, frost |
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Susceptibility |
Brown rot, scab disease |
What Does a Frost Peach Tree Look Like?
Also known as Prunus persica “Frost,” Frost peach trees can reach a height and width of 25 feet. The tree has green leaves and pink flowers that lead to fruit. Frost peach trees are self-pollinating, so your tree will bear fruit even if you only plant one.
Frost peaches are typically 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The skin of the peach is red blush over a yellow skin and the peach has yellow flesh and is considered a freestone fruit, meaning that the pit easily pulls away from the flesh.
Growing Conditions for a Frost Peach Tree
Frost peach trees can withstand late frosts better than other cultivars, but they still have some specific requirements to grow and bear fruit. Here are the optimal growing conditions for these “frost-proof” peach trees.
Sun and Shade
Frost peach trees require lots of sun, so be sure to plant it where it can get six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. The most successful trees get full sun, but they can still survive in partial sunlight.
Soil
Peach trees grow best in well-drained soil that’s sandy and loamy with a slightly acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
Watering
During the first growing season, apply 1 inch of water to the tree per week. After that, make sure the tree gets 30 inches of water per year, or 1 inch of water every 10 days, either from precipitation or irrigation.
Fertilizing
To keep the soil healthy, you should maintain a regular fertilizer schedule. One week after planting your tree, sprinkle 8 ounces of fertilizer in a circle 8 inches from the base of the tree. In the second and third years of its life, sprinkle 12 ounces of fertilizer around the tree in early and late spring. For mature trees ages four and up, sprinkle 16 ounces of fertilizer around the tree in early and late spring.
The best fertilizer to use is one that has an even balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This could be 10-10-10, which is 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium, 12-12-12, or 20-20-20. A fertilizer with an even amount of all three can improve the overall health of the plant.
Ideal Hardiness Zones
The Frost proof peach tree can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–9, which make up the majority of the country, minus cold states along the Canadian border and warmer parts of Florida, California, and Hawaii. Though peach trees do well in warm weather, they must receive a certain number of chill hours at temperatures below 45°F to flower and fruit.
Pruning
Frost peach trees, like most fruit trees, require annual pruning to continue to bear fruit. The best time for this is the late winter or early spring before the growth season begins. Trim away broken or dead branches and maintain an open center structure to give the peaches room to grow.
How to Plant a Frost Peach Tree
The best time to plant a Frost proof tree is in the spring when the tree is still dormant but the ground has defrosted. The easiest peach tree to plant is a bare root tree purchased from a nursery. This tree will be grown elsewhere for about a year, dug up, shaken clean of extra soil, and placed in a moist material for easy travel.
- Prior to planting, choose a planting site that will get direct sunlight and that doesn’t have grass or weeds.
- Dig a hole a few inches wider and deeper than the root spread.
- Place the roots on a mound of soil in the hole.
- Fill the hole back up with soil.
- After planting the tree, apply a mulch layer of 4 to 5 inches to prevent weeds.
- Soak the soil around the tree with water.
It will take three to four years for the tree to bear its first peaches. After that, flowers should bloom in early spring and the peaches should be ready to pick in July or August.
The typical peach tree lives for a maximum of 15–20 years if protected from pests and disease.
Tolerance and Susceptibility
Although Frost peach trees are resistant to cold and disease, they are still susceptible to certain environmental conditions.
Disease
Peach trees are susceptible to peach leaf curl, a fungal disease that causes peach tree leaves to curl down and turn light green, red, or purple. A few varieties of peach trees, including the Frost peach tree, are resistant to this disease, though they can still contract it under certain conditions.
Brown rot and scab disease are common fungal diseases that affect peaches along with other fruit trees. Brown rot creates gray, fuzzy spots, while scab disease creates olive green or brown spots. These spots affect the leaves, fruits, branches, and blossoms.
Weather
The defining feature of a Frost peach tree is its frost-resistant quality. Most peach trees can’t tolerate temperatures lower than 45°F, but Frost peach trees can survive temperatures down to -10°F. They also fare better against late-spring frosts than other cultivars. However, this does not make them entirely frost-proof.
Wildlife Threats
A variety of bugs may attack your tree, including grubs, stink bugs, oriental fruit moths, and borers. Some animals, including squirrels, deer, raccoons, rats, and opossums, might take the fruit from your tree for food. While this won’t damage your tree in the same way that pests and disease might, it can be frustrating to care for the tree and not get to reap the benefits. To reduce animal foraging, remove any fruit that falls to the ground as soon as possible.
Our Conclusion
As close as you can get to a frost proof peach tree, the Frost peach tree is more resilient against frost and peach leaf curl than other varieties, making it a good option if you live in a cooler state or want to try growing a peach tree for the first time. However, all peach trees require substantial pruning and maintenance, so consider whether this kind of fruit tree is right for your yard or garden.
FAQ About Frost Proof Peach Trees
When should I prune my Frost peach tree?
Prune your newly planted tree down to 2–2.5 feet above the ground into a V shape during the late winter or early spring. Maintain that V shape and cut off 50% of the previous year’s fruiting wood every late winter or early spring after that.
How do you prevent peach leaf curl?
Peach leaf curl can be controlled by spraying the tree with a sulfur- or copper-based fungicide labeled for peach and nectarine trees. You should spray the entire tree after 90% of the leaves have dropped in the fall and again in early spring before the tree buds.
Does peach leaf curl kill the tree?
Peach leaf curl won’t always kill a tree, but it can weaken it, causing it to produce fewer or misshapen peaches. If the disease takes over most of the tree, you may have to have the tree removed.
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