Leslie Massey
Peaches are a stone fruit that can be grown in Australia. While some people in Australia have complained about the taste of store-bought peaches, growing your own peaches in Australia is possible and can yield tasty results. In fact, some peach varieties are small enough to grow in backyards. However, growing peaches in Australia does come with some challenges, such as dealing with the 'Peach Leaf Curl' fungus and finding the right climate.
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy peaches in Australia
Peaches are a stone fruit that can be grown in Australia. They are generally self-fertile and can be grown in smaller gardens. If you are looking to buy peaches in Australia, there are several options available to you. You can either choose to buy them online, directly from a farm, or from a local market or store.
Online Options
You can buy peaches online from various retailers, such as Harris Farm Markets, which offers stone fruit like peaches, plums, and nectarines for delivery directly to your door. Another option is to buy canned peaches online from retailers like SUPA IGA Blaxland, which offers a variety of canned peach products, including sliced peaches in juice or light syrup.
Farms and Orchards
If you prefer to buy your peaches directly from the source, you can visit farms and orchards in Australia that offer fresh peaches for sale. One such option is Glenbernie Orchard, located within the Illawarra mountain escarpment in NSW. The farm has a retail shop where you can buy fresh peaches, nectarines, plums, and other seasonal produce. Another option is Canoelands Orchard, which offers a pick-your-own experience for various fruits, including peaches, during the stone fruit season, which is usually from November to early January.
Local Markets and Stores
You can also find peaches at local markets and stores in Australia. For example, the website harvesttrailsandmarkets.com.au provides information on various farms and markets in the region that offer fresh produce, including peaches. These markets often have stalls or shops on the property where they sell their fresh produce, honey, jams, and chutney. Some markets also offer additional experiences, such as farm tours, cafes, and venues for events or celebrations.
In summary, whether you choose to buy peaches online, directly from a farm, or from a local market or store, there are plenty of options available for purchasing peaches in Australia. Each option offers a unique experience, from the convenience of home delivery to the charm of picking your own fruit directly from the orchard.
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How to grow peaches in Australia
Peaches and nectarines grow well in the cooler areas of Australia, as they require a mild climate and a cold winter. They are ideal for smaller gardens as they are generally self-fertile, meaning they don't require another tree for cross-pollination. If you are short on space, consider a dwarf peach tree, a multi-grafted tree, or a multi-grafted dwarf (half peach, half nectarine).
Peach and nectarine trees grow best in cool, cold, and temperate zones. They require a certain number of 'chill hours' during winter—usually between 300 and 1,000 hours—to break dormancy and promote healthy fruit development. However, recent advances in breeding have led to the introduction of 'low-chill' varieties, which can be grown in subtropical climates.
To grow peaches, find a sunny spot with well-drained soil. If the soil is clay-based, add gypsum and fork it in well. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots, and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Position it in the hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant to create a well so that water goes where it's needed most. Applying an organic mulch, such as sugarcane or bark chips, around the root zone will help keep the soil and roots moist.
It can take three to four years for peach trees to produce fruit. To determine if the fruit is ready for harvest, gently press on it. If it gives slightly and has a fragrant aroma, it is ripe. Hold the fruit in one hand and gently twist to detach it from the tree.
To prevent the "Peach Leaf Curl" fungus, spray your trees with a low environmental impact lime sulphur spray several times over the winter dormancy period until bud burst. This will prevent fungal spores from taking hold and will help to prevent issues in the spring.
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Peach leaf curl
The symptoms of peach leaf curl include emerging leaves that appear thick and lumpy, with a blistered appearance. The foliage colour may change to pale green, pink, or purple, and a white bloom may occasionally appear on the leaves before they brown off and fall. Infected flowers will fall from the tree, and the fruit may also be infected, causing reddish pimples and subsequent fruit drop. If left untreated, peach leaf curl will continue to affect the tree year after year and become increasingly worse. It can destroy new leaves in spring, cause shoot dieback, and result in crop loss.
To prevent and control peach leaf curl, a combination of methods should be used. Firstly, clean up and dispose of any fallen leaves from previous infections to minimise hiding places for the fungus spores. Spray the tree with a low environmental impact product like copper oxychloride or lime sulphur, which is preferable as it doesn't lead to copper buildup in the soil. This spraying must be done in winter before bud burst and well before any symptoms appear. If the tree is already infected, remove all distorted leaves and fruit. Choose stone fruit varieties that are less susceptible to the fungus, and feed your soil with slow-release organic fertilisers and soil conditioners, along with regular watering, to ensure the tree's health and recovery.
Other organic controls include applying Bordeaux mixture, bagging, and binning any affected leaves or fruit. Hygiene is crucial, so ensure you clean up any leaf, branch, or fruit material that accumulates beneath the tree, as spores can overwinter and reinfect the tree in spring. Growing strong, healthy plants that are well-fertilised and watered is the best defence against peach leaf curl. A combination of these controls can treat the fungal problem with almost 100% success.
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Dwarf peach trees
One popular variety is the Super Dwarf Valley Red, known for its glossy, long, and thin dark green leaves. This variety produces a moderate crop of medium-sized, round to oblong peaches with orange-yellow skin and a deep red blush. The flesh is golden when ripe, and the flavour is sweet and juicy. This variety is well-suited to subtropical regions and grows well in pots or small backyards.
Another variety, the Pixzee Miniature Peach, is known for its small stature and large, tasty fruit. While it may not grow much taller than a metre, it produces numerous little peaches and has a gorgeous blossom show in the spring. This variety performs well in the subtropics but may not fare as well in temperate climates.
To ensure the successful growth of dwarf peach trees, it is important to provide them with a sunny position and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Incorporating gypsum and compost can help improve drainage, especially in areas with heavy clay soils. Additionally, feeding your dwarf peach trees with seaweed a couple of times a year will promote their growth and help prevent the dreaded "Peach Leaf Curl" fungus.
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Peach varieties
Peaches are a superb stone fruit that can be grown in Australia. They are ideal for smaller gardens as they are generally self-fertile, meaning they don't require another tree for cross-pollination. Some of the varieties available in Australia include:
- Dwarf peaches: These are perfect for those short on space and can even be grown in a big pot.
- Multi-grafted trees: A combination of a dwarf peach and a dwarf nectarine, this self-fertile duo will thrive in a large pot.
- Nectazee: A dwarf nectarine that can be grown in a pot or in the ground.
- Pixzee: A dwarf peach that can be grown in a pot or in the ground.
- Arctic Rose: A new generation of white-fleshed nectarines. They are picked and eaten when still quite firm and have a very sweet flavour with little to no fruit acid.
When growing peaches, it is important to find a sunny position and ensure the soil is full of organic matter and free-draining. Consider planting your peaches on a mound to improve drainage, especially if you have heavy clay soil. To prevent the "Peach Leaf Curl" fungus, spray your trees with a lime sulphur spray during their winter dormancy period.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, peaches grow in Australia. They are generally self-fertile and ideal for smaller gardens.
Peaches are suited to warm temperate climates and areas that receive 450-550 hours a year below 7 degrees Celsius while trees are dormant. In the warmer areas of Australia, fruit trees can be planted on the southern side of a house to receive cooler evening temperatures.
Choose a sunny position with well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Dwarf peach trees are also available for smaller spaces. To prevent "Peach Leaf Curl" fungus, spray your trees with a lime sulphur spray several times over the winter dormancy period.
