Peaches
Peaches can be grown as a bush tree in warm, sheltered areas, in other areas
peaches are best grown as a fan-trained tree on a south facing or a west facing
wall.
Peaches have a velvety skin and the flesh is either white or yellow. The
white fleshed varieties are very sweet whereas the yellow fleshed varieties are
sweet with a hint of acid.
Peaches flower early so they require protection from frost. Peaches grow best
in slightly acid (pH 6.5-7), deep, fertile, well-drained soil which has good
moisture retention, lighter soils can be improved by adding organic matter to
help with moisture retention.
Rootstocks
Rootstocks in order of their vigour are outlined below: -
Pixy - Dwarf. An ideal
rootstock for the smaller garden. It needs to be grown in fertile and weed-free
soil. It will reach a height of 2.4-3m. Trees grown on this rootstock will bear
fruit within 3 years. Use for dwarf bushes, dwarf pyramids, and small fans.
St. Julian A - Semi-Vigorous.
A good rootstock for most soils. Trees grown on this rootstock will reach a
height of 3-3.5m. Trees grown on this rootstock will bear fruit within 4-5
years. Use for bushes, half-standards, and fans.
Varieties
Peaches are available as bare-root one-year-maidens from November to March.
Trained forms of peaches are available in 12 litre pots all-year-round.
Peach ‘Amsden June’
Dessert. Medium sized roundish fruit which has downy, yellowish green skin
which is marbled and streaked with broken streaks of red. The white flesh is
very tender and juicy with a rich flavour. Freestone. Its season of use is late
June. (USA 1865) Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden SJA £27.00 each
Peach ‘Bellegarde’
Dessert. Large round and regular fruit which has deep red skin which is
streaked with dark purple. The yellow flesh is juicy. Freestone. Its season of
use is September. (France 18th Century) Self Fertile
Peach ‘Gorgeous’
Dessert. The skin is striped purple-red. Yellow flesh. Its season of use is
early September. (Kent) Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden SJA £27.00 each Available
to Order for Supply in Late November 2013
Peach ‘Hale's Early’
Dessert. Medium sized round fruit which has crimson skin which is covered
with broken streaks of darker crimson. The pale yellow flesh is tender, melting,
with a delicious flavour. Freestone. Its season of use is late August. (USA)
Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden SJA £27.00 each
Peach ‘Peregrine’
Dessert. Reliable with a brilliant crimson skin and white flesh. The flavour
is rich and intense. Freestone. Its season of use is early August. (Rivers of
Sawbridgeworth 1906) Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden SJA £27.00 each Available
to Order for Supply in Late November 2013
Peach ‘Red Haven’
Dessert. A firm, yellow flesh of good quality. The flowers are small and dark
pink. Freestone. Its season of use is mid August. (USA) Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden SJA £27.00 each Available
to Order for Supply in Late November 2013
Peach ‘Rochester’
Dessert. The largest yellow fleshed Peach. The flavour is very good with a
soft and juicy texture. Its season of use is mid-August. (New York 1900) Self
Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden SJA £27.00 each
Peach 'Saturn'
An unusual, small, flat shaped fruit, which has very sweet and succulent
orange flesh. Also known as the Java Peach. Its season of use is early August.
Self Fertile.
