Peach Contender 7 Gal

Key Characteristics

• Hardiness: Thrives in USDA Zones 4 through 8, tolerating sub-zero winter temperatures.
• Chill Hours: Requires approximately 850 to 1,050 chill hours to set fruit.
• Fruit: Large, freestone peaches with bright red-blushed yellow skin and sweet, juicy, non-browning yellow flesh.
• Harvest Time: Ripens in mid-to-late August (or early September in cooler areas).
• Size: Grows to a mature height and width of 12 to 15 feet, though easily managed smaller with pruning.
Pollination: Self-fertile, meaning you only need one tree for fruit, though planting another peach variety nearby increases yields.

Care and Maintenance

• Sunlight: Plant in full sun.
• Soil: Requires well-drained, loamy, or sandy soil.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter in an open-center (vase) shape to maximize sunlight penetration.
• Thinning: Thin heavy fruit clusters in early summer to ensure large, high-quality peaches.

*Stock image shown for reference. Actual tree appearance may vary.