When to Plant Peach Trees in Texas for a Bountiful Harvest

Written by

William Golder

FACT-CHECKED BY

Dorian Goodwin

when to plant peach trees in texas

Peach trees are suitable for the climatic conditions of Texas. However, it is still important to know when to plant peach trees in Texas so your trees have a favorable start at their new home. 

So, when should you plant your peach trees in The Lone Star State? Do so from December 1 to March 14 since the cold temperature stimulates peach trees to grow roots during their dormant stage. This schedule may slightly differ per region.

If you want to know more about growing peach trees and how to care for a peach tree in Texas, read further!

Best Time to Plant Peach Trees in Texas

1. General Planting Schedule

general-planting-schedule-for-peach-trees

Winter to early spring is the most recommended time for growing peach trees in Texas, specifically from December 1 to March 14. This encourages the seedlings to grow roots during their dormancy.

2. Ideal Planting Schedule by Area

best-time-to-plant-peach-trees

The weather in Texas can vary significantly across different regions of the state. The Lone Star State is a large state with diverse geography, and as a result, it experiences a range of climatic conditions.

That’s why planting time may also slightly differ depending on your location in the state. Refer to the map below for different Texas growing zones:

For North Texas with areas that largely belong to Zones 6 to 7, January 1 to March 14 is the most ideal time frame to plant peach trees since the soil during the fall and winter months are too cold. Thus, late winter to early spring is a better option.

For Central Texas, fall planting from November 1 to 30 is highly suggested since this region lies in Zone 8. Early spring, from March 1 to 14, is the next best schedule.

For South Texas, it is relatively difficult to plant peach trees in this region since it is characterized by short and mildly cold winters. If you insist on planting, however, you may do so when temperatures do not go beyond 45°F during the winter.

3. Summer is Too Late for Planting

Avoid planting peach trees during the summer season. This is because Texas summers are characterized by low soil moisture content and high heat which may stress out the plants and even damage them.

However, you can grow peaches in this season if you containerize your trees. This is a lot tricky to do because you would have to go the extra mile in planting as well as in care and maintenance.

4. Winter is Perfect for Peach Trees

Peach trees need a certain amount of time at or below 45°F at the time of planting to leave their dormant stage, begin blooming, and optimally grow in spring.

Insufficient chilling hours may lead to delayed or irregular bud breaks, reduced fruit bearings, or low fruit quality. On the other hand, excessively cold temperatures or prolonged freezing can damage the buds or even kill the peach tree.

Depending on the variety, the number of chilling hours needed can vary. Generally, peach trees require around 800 to 1,000 chilling hours. However, there are some low-chill varieties available that require fewer chilling hours.

Below is a breakdown of peach varieties, categorized by how many chilling hours they need:

  1. High-chilling varieties – for 700 to 1,000 hours 
  2. Medium-chilling varieties – for 450 to 650 hours 
  3. Low-chilling varieties — for 150 to 400 hours

You can refer to the map below on how to choose your peach tree variety whose chilling requirements match your area’s climate.

growing-peach-trees

How Late Can You Plant Peach Trees in Texas?

In Texas, it’s best to plant peach trees during the dormant season, which typically falls between late fall and early spring.

We recommend planting seedlings before the last frost date in your area to ensure that the tree has enough time to establish roots in preparation for the arrival of spring and warmer temperatures.

As a general guideline, the latest date to plant peach trees in Texas is often between December and February in most regions. However, in areas with milder winters, such as South Texas or the Gulf Coast, planting can be extended into early spring.

It’s important to consider the local climate of your specific region in Texas for the optimal timing. When in doubt, consult with local experts or nurseries for specific recommendations based on your location within Texas.

Best Peach Tree Varieties to Plant in Texas

best-peach-tree-varieties-to-plant-in-texas

Refer to the table below for peach varieties and their respective characteristics that would do well in Texas:

Variety Chilling Requirement (hours) Mature Height (feet) Fruit Size Stone Type Ripening Time
High-chilling Varieties
Surecrop 1,000 15 to 20 Medium Cling June 10 to 15
Flameprince 850 12 to 18 Large Freestone July 25 to August 5
Springold 750 10 to 15 Small Cling May 15 to 20
Bicentennial 700 12 to 15 Small Cling May 20 to 30
Medium-chilling Varieties
Junegold 650 12 to 15 Large Cling May 22 to June 3
Tex Royal 600 12 to 18 Large Freestone June 2 to June 12
La Feliciana 550 12 to 18 Large Freestone June 20 to July 4
Flordaking 450 15 to 25 Large Cling May 15 to 20
Low-chilling Varieties
Gulfprince 400 12 to 18 Medium Semi-free June 9 to 14
Flordacrest 350 12 to 15 Small to medium Semi-cling April 18 to 24
Earligrande 200 20 to 25 Small to medium Semi-cling April 15 to 20
Flordagrande 100 10 to 20 Large Semi-cling May 16 to 27

How to Plant Peach Trees in Texas

plant-peach-trees-in-texas

Planting peach trees in Texas follows a similar process as in other regions. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:

  1. Once you have your healthy nursery stock of peach trees on hand, trim and dispose of any damaged, diseased, or excessively long roots then soak in water.
  2. Dig planting holes that are sufficiently large for the entire root system of the peach tree stock then place the plants inside. The depth should be the same as the hole in the nursery.
  3. Firmly pat the soil at the base of the tree and thoroughly water.
  4. Afterwards, prune the peach tree until only one trunk remains. The single trunk should be about 2 to 3 feet tall.
  5. Lastly, wrap the lower 1 ½ feet of the trunk using aluminum foil or a grow tube.

Factors to Consider When Planting Peach Trees in Texas

1. Chilling Hours

As stated above, not all regions of the state are suitable for planting peach trees. This is why there are cultivars that are made for high, medium, and low chilling requirements depending on the location.

2. Site Selection

Select a highly-elevated area where the plants can receive a lot of sun, especially early morning sun since peach trees have daily sun requirements of 6 to 8 hours for maximum fruit production.

Plant on sandy loam soil with good water drainage and air circulation. Preferably, the site should be at least 18 to 24 inches in depth. Perform a soil test prior to planting and make any necessary amendments.

3. Spacing

This is important so that you can prepare how much garden space you need to provide for your peach trees and to reduce shading over time as more of your trees reach mature size. Rows with 22 to 24-feet spacing are found to be sufficient.

Peach Tree Care and Harvest Guide for Texas

care-for-a-peach-tree

1. Fertilization

Apply once in the early spring once your peach tree reaches at least 2 years of age. Make a second application 1 to 2 months after, sometime between late spring and early summer.

2. Weed Control

Mechanically remove weeds either by disking or tilling 3 inches deep into the soil. You can also apply herbicides, especially for getting rid of perennial weeds. However, avoid using glyphosate during the first year of the trees.

3. Pruning

Prune the peach tree during its dormancy in winter by topping down the tree at a height of 7 to 8 feet. Remove any disease-infected, dying, or dead shoots as well as sprouts, and rootstock suckers. Make sure to remove about 40% of the contents of the tree.

4. Thinning

Thin peach fruits 6 to 8 inches apart along the branches they are on. There should generally be about 600 fruits left per fully mature tree. You can thin mechanically using shakers or by the use of a machine.

5. Harvesting and Handling

Harvest time or peach season depends on the variety and date you planted. Generally, it could be anywhere between April to August in the third to fourth year of growth. Harvest when fruits are ripe, firm, and are a good red color with yellow marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits of Peach Trees

One fresh medium-sized peach consists of 6% of the daily Vitamin A requirement, 15% of Vitamin C, 2% of Vitamins E and K, as well as other nutrients such as choline, folate, niacin, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, and zinc.

Can you grow peach trees in all regions of Texas?

Yes, but it is rather difficult to plant peach trees in Southern Texas since these areas don’t have the best growing conditions due to short winters with mild temperatures that may or may not be sufficient for the plants to grow roots.

How long does it take for a peach tree to bear fruit in Texas?

It takes about 2 to 4 years for peach trees to reach full maturity and produce fruit in the state. If you propagate them by seed, it will take longer than 4 years.

What to do for peach trees to bear fruits?

Follow a watering schedule of 2 gallons a week, apply a slow-release fertilizer in the early spring, properly prune trees every year, cut out smaller peaches to make room for the larger ones, and employ the appropriate pest and disease control.

What are the common pests and diseases that affect peach trees in Texas?

Common pests include plum curculio, oriental fruit moth, peach borers, catfacing insects, and scales, while common diseases include brown rot, peach scab, bacterial spot, peach leaf curl, gummosis, powdery mildew, crown gall, and oak root rot.

Conclusion

Now that you know when to plant peach trees in Texas, it’s time for you to follow the tips and tricks above in growing your own lush orchards! Remember: timing, chilling hours, variety, selection, and spacing are important factors to consider.

Additionally, after planting care is also essential as it will determine how well your peach trees will grow and bear fruit once they mature.


If you are planning to build a garden, don’t forget to visit the planting schedule of the most popular vegetable in Texas:

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