How to Grow a Peach Tree from a Pit In Four Easy Steps
You've eaten plenty of peaches. You may have even picked a few. But have you ever tried growing a peach tree from the pit? It's a fun project for both new and experienced gardeners. Kids love it, too!
Many tree fruits, like apples, have to be propagated by grafting because their seeds won't produce the same variety: Plant the seed from any variety of apple and you'll likely just get a crabapple. But peach trees—as well as their relatives nectarines and apricots—can be grown true to form. And if you've eaten a peach recently, then you already have the pit!
There are a couple of important steps required to grow a peach tree from a pit. You can't just put the seed in the dirt and water it. The most important thing to know is that peach seeds require cold stratification, or exposure to a cold winter period, in order to germinate. (You can fake this inside your refrigerator if you don’t live in a cold-enough climate.) Here's what else you need to do.
Steps for Growing a Peach Tree
Follow these steps for growing your own cost-of-a-peach peach tree:
Save the pit. Your best bet is to choose pits from peaches purchased from local growers or the farmer’s market. That’s because locally-grown varieties of peaches will be better suited for surviving winters in your particular hardiness zone. (Learn about zones here.)
Clean the pit. Use a soft toothbrush and water to remove any remaining bits of fruit. Let the pit dry on your counter for a few days.
In warm climates: Prepare the seed for planting. Use a nutcracker to open the pit, retrieving the almond-like seed. Soak the seed overnight, then place in a lidded container filled with moist potting soil. Cover and store in the refrigerator. You should see white roots sprouting in about a month. Keep the seed in the fridge until spring, planting outdoors about one month prior to your area’s last frost. When you plant it, push the seed about 3 inches deep into 10 to 12-inch diameter containers filled with potting mix. Make sure the pot has drainage holes. Water, and keep the pot in full sun, which is considered 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. Water during dry spells.
In cold climates: Plant the entire pit directly into the ground or in containers sunk into the ground (to insulate the seed from freezes) in late fall. You do not need to crack the pit open or cold-stratify the seed in the fridge. Water as needed when dry throughout the winter.
Can You Plant a Peach Pit Outdoors?
Yes! In cold climates, you can plant a peach pit directly into the ground or in pots sunken in the ground. In warm climates, you need to cold stratify the seed in your fridge to simulate a natural winter, then you can plant it outdoors in spring.
How Long Does it Take for a Peach Tree to Start Producing Fruit?
Depending on the variety and conditions, a peach tree may start producing fruit within about 3 to 4 years after planting. However, there are no guarantees. It may be sooner, later, or never. (So you may want to plant more than one!)
Why Isn’t My Peach Tree Producing Fruit?
Peach trees may not produce fruit for many reasons: Not enough sunlight, frost damage, or not enough chilling hours. Just like the seeds need cold to germinate, peaches need a period of cold weather (typically a minimum of 800 “chill hours,” where temperatures are below 45°F during a tree’s dormancy period) to produce fruit.
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