Marianne's Response

young peach tree

I was given a 14″ peach tree today. Can I plant it on the south side of my house? Do I need to fertilize it when I plant it? If not, then when. My other peach trees bear fruit, get spots and exude jelly, and all drop to the ground despite many different treatments! They areon the east side.

Posted by melinda marashi on June 21, 2019

Marianne's Response

Yes - the sunny, dry South side of the house would be best for your peach tree. Loosen the soil well for better root growth and do not fertilize until the following spring using a slow release plant food such as Osmocote. Keep soil moist this summer around the new tree.  If your other peach tree continues to drop all fruit after many different treatments dig it up and toss it out. You don't want it to spread the disease to your new baby. Do not reuse the same tools you use on the sick peach tree unless you dip them into a 10% bleach solution first. Tools can spread disease. In this sunny location I see peach pie in your future. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti