There’s nothing quite like biting into a sun-warmed, juicy peach straight from your own backyard. Luckily, peaches thrive in the Lehigh Valley’s climate when given the right care.
If you’re a DIY gardener ready to try your hand at growing your own, Herbein’s Garden Center has a great selection of trees to get you started. Here’s everything you need to know to grow healthy, productive peach trees right at home.
Choosing the Right Variety
Peaches are well-suited for our USDA Zone 6 region, and the varieties available at Herbein’s offer something for every type of gardener:
* Belle of Georgia: A longtime favorite with large, sweet white-fleshed peaches perfect for fresh eating and canning.
* Blushingstar: Firm, juicy fruit with a pink blush and strong resistance to brown rot; great for backyard gardeners.
* Canadian Harmony: Freestone peaches with vibrant orange skin and rich, classic peach flavor; excellent for freezing or preserving.
* Contender: Known for cold-hardiness and consistent yields, with firm, sweet fruit that holds up well for baking.
* Redhaven: A proven favorite in the Lehigh Valley for its dependability, sweet flavor, and versatility.
* Reliance: Extremely cold-hardy, making it one of the safest choices for unpredictable late frosts.
Most of these are self-pollinating, so you can enjoy fruit with just one tree. Still, planting more than one can increase yield and extend your harvest window.
Where to Plant
Peach trees love full sun, at least 6–8 hours per day, and need good air circulation to reduce disease risk. Choose a slightly elevated spot if possible to help avoid frost pockets, since spring frost can damage early blooms.
Well-drained soil is essential. Heavy or compacted soils can lead to root problems, so amend with compost if needed.
How to Plant
1. Best time: Early spring is ideal for planting in the Lehigh Valley once the soil is workable.
2. Hole size: Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep.
3. Positioning: Place the tree so the graft union (the swollen bump near the base) sits 2–3 inches above soil level.
4. Backfill: Mix in compost with your native soil, then fill the hole and press firmly.
5. Water: Give the tree a deep watering right after planting.
6. Mulch: Apply a few inches of mulch to conserve moisture, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk.
Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties, like many offered at Herbein’s, are perfect for smaller yards and easier to prune and harvest.
Watering and Fertilizing
During the first two years, keep the soil consistently moist, especially in dry Lehigh Valley summers. Once established, deep watering every 7–10 days is usually enough.
Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fruit tree fertilizer. Avoid overdoing it; too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth instead of fruit.
Pruning and Care
Prune peach trees every late winter or early spring before new growth starts. The goal is an open-center shape, allowing sunlight to reach the interior branches. Remove dead or crossing branches and thin out crowded areas.
Annual pruning keeps the tree productive and helps reduce disease pressure.
Pest and Disease Watch
Peaches are susceptible to peach leaf curl, brown rot, and aphids. You can prevent issues by:
* Planting in full sun with good air circulation.
* Raking up fallen fruit and leaves.
* Using a dormant spray in late winter if needed.
Herbein’s Garden Center carries fruit-safe sprays and products if problems arise.
Harvesting
Peaches typically ripen in the Lehigh Valley from July through August, depending on the variety. You’ll know they’re ready when they develop full color and come off the branch easily with a gentle twist.
For the best flavor, let them ripen on the tree as long as possible, but don’t wait too long, or the squirrels may beat you to them!
Peach trees offer more than just fruit; they bring spring blossoms, summer shade, and beauty to your yard. With a little care and patience, you can enjoy baskets of homegrown peaches for years.
Plant one this spring, and in the next few summers, you’ll be harvesting sweet, juicy peaches right from your backyard!
