Peaches are a classic summer treat. This juicy fruit tastes incredible in salads, desserts, and on its own. What tastes better than a peach from the grocery store? Homegrown fruit.
While people typically associate peach trees in states like Georgia, you could even grow this fruit in desert climates like Arizona, depending on the variety. Continue reading for a guide to growing peach trees in Arizona.
Do Peach Trees Grow Well in Arizona?
Peach trees can grow well in Arizona, depending on the area. In Arizona, people find the most success growing peach trees around the Phoenix and Tucson areas. These cities have the most optimal conditions because they have low deserts. Other places with higher elevation levels like Prescott provide proper habitats for growing peach trees.
What Types of Peach Trees Are Best?
Peach tree varieties contribute to their ability to survive and thrive in various environments. Here are the top 5 peach trees to grow in Arizona.
Red Baron Peach Tree
Red Baron peach trees are perfect for Arizona because they thrive in warm temperatures. This species is a hearty peach tree, surviving even in the hottest conditions. The Red Baron tree produces deep red blossoms in the spring and juicy peaches all summer long.
Bonita Peach Tree
The Bonita peach tree blooms with light pink flowers in the spring, providing juicy yellow peaches throughout July and August.
This tree is popular in Arizona and Southern California because of its inclination toward the sunshine and hot weather.
Kaweah Peach Tree
California gardeners originally bred Kaweah peach trees because they produce uniform fruit perfect for grocery stores. This means that Kaweah peach trees consistently grow plump fruit at high yields.
In the spring, expect fragrant pink blossoms with long green leaves. By summer, this tree produces delicious peaches.
Donut Peach Tree
Donut peach trees produce white-fleshed peaches with a unique flat shape.
Donut Peaches originate in China, known as “peento” peaches. These trees self-fertilize, meaning the pollen from the original tree is enough to produce fruit.
This peach tree is excellent for Arizona weather because it needs lots of sunlight and requires a relatively low amount of chill hours compared to other fruit trees.
Santa Barbara Peach Tree
One of the most popular peach varieties in warm climates is Santa Barbara peaches. These peaches have a high heat tolerance, making them a great choice for Arizona gardens.
When ripe, these peaches appear yellow with a rose-colored patch. They taste sweet and are an excellent fruit for cooking and baking.
How to Plant a Peach Tree in Arizona
Arizona has many hours of hot sunlight, heavy rainfall, and alkaline soil, which makes producing delicious fruit difficult. Here are a few tips for growing tasty peaches in Arizona.
- Avoid planting peach trees near reflective surfaces to minimize heat
- Choose a peach tree with compatible chill hour requirements
- When planting avoid areas with crumbling soil or caliche for better drainage
- Fertilize your peach tree before the buds bloom for prosperous growth
- Check the tree leaves often for nutrient deficiencies; Arizona soil often lacks sufficient nitrogen
How Much Water Does a Peach Tree in Arizona Need?
How much water a peach tree in Arizona needs depends on the season. During warmer seasons like spring and summer, when the peach tree is blooming, water the trees consistently. In the heat, they need watering about every two to three days for about 20 minutes. During cooler seasons like fall and winter, peach trees need to be watered every two to three weeks.
The amount of heavy rainfall could cut down watering times. However, Arizona gets quite hot during the summertime. You may need to water your peach tree more frequently due to extreme temperatures.