for Home Gardeners

Properly pruning a mature peach tree is an important spring chore for homeowners.

Producing Tree Fruit for Home Use
Growing tree fruit in the home garden can be a rewarding pastime. However, careful planning, preparation and care of the trees are essential for success. This publication covers those basics so that you can ensure many seasons of enjoyment.

Potential Peach Varieties for North Carolina (PDF)
A listing of more that 50 cultivars that are suitable for production in North Carolina. Details about each cultivar include flesh color, chilling requirement, harvest date and other notables including size, shape or susceptibility or resistance to disease.

Growing Peaches in North Carolina
This publication addresses the disease complex known as peach tree short life (PTSL). The 10-point program for PTSL is an important strategy for peach growers in sandy soils, most common in the Southeastern part of the state.

Training and Pruning Fruit Trees (PDF)
Training and pruning is important to help trees develop proper shape and form. This publication from N.C. State University describes and illustrates four training systems and the various types of pruning cuts.

Disease and Insect Management in the Home Orchard
Homeowners who grow fruit in backyards or small orchards find that diseases and insect pests often ruin the entire crop and in some instances damage the tree itself. This publication describes preplanting considerations and post planting steps a homeowner can take to reduce the incidence of disease and insect damage.