When to plant Peach?

Peach trees thrive in full sun and need a sheltered spot protected from late frosts, which can damage early spring blossom and ruin the crop. Choose a south- or southwest-facing position, ideally against a warm wall if you're gardening in cooler areas of the UK or Ireland. Avoid frost pockets and exposed sites where cold winds blow during flowering time. Peaches prefer well-drained loam or sandy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Heavy clay soils must be improved with plenty of grit and organic matter to prevent waterlogging, which peaches cannot tolerate. Before planting, dig a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball and fork over the base to break up compacted soil. Mix in a bucketful of well-rotted compost or manure, but keep it away from direct contact with the roots. Plant bare-root peach trees between November and March, while they're dormant; container-grown specimens can go in any time but establish best in autumn or early spring. Position the tree so the graft union (the knobbly bulge low on the trunk) sits just above soil level. Backfill with the excavated soil, firming gently with your heel as you go to eliminate air pockets. Space trees 400 cm apart to allow for their mature spread and good air circulation, which helps reduce fungal disease. Water thoroughly after planting, even in winter, to settle the roots. Apply a 7–10 cm layer of well-rotted compost or bark mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk itself. Stake young trees with a short, sturdy post and a flexible tie to prevent wind rock while the roots establish.