When to plant a peach tree - Ask Extension
Hello,
My family just moved here this fall and we'd like to add a dwarf peach tree to our yard. I'm not sure how to time planting, especially with ...
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When to plant a peach tree #925044
Asked February 25, 2026, 2:15 PM EST
Hello,
My family just moved here this fall and we'd like to add a dwarf peach tree to our yard. I'm not sure how to time planting, especially with the recent snow storms we've had. I'd also be interested if you have any specific varieties you'd recommend. We'd like a yellow, freestone peach. I grew up with fruit trees, but haven't bought and planted one before.
Thank you so much for your help!
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Fortunately, you can generally plant hardy species like peach any time the ground is workable and the plants are available to purchase. "Workable" ground simply means that it's not frozen and not too soggy from recent rain or snowmelt. (If you make a ball out of the soil, it can be moist but should not drip much, if any, water when squeezed. If it does, it may be too wet to dig in until it can dry out more.) Many area nurseries/garden centers stock up on fruit trees soon, as local wholesalers start shipping them out in the coming weeks, if they haven't already. While spring and fall are both good planting seasons overall, nurseries tend to stock a greater depth of selection in spring than in fall, due to when most people shop, even though planting in autumn is a great option for most species of trees and shrubs.
If you are new to growing peaches (or any fruit tree, at least as the primary caretaker of the plant), be aware that they are high-maintenance plants compared to berry bushes and ornamental plants used decoratively in home landscapes. Fruit trees are vulnerable to several pest and disease issues that may require preventative measures like annual pesticide applications (organic or otherwise). They also are pruned a bit differently than a non-fruiting tree, in part because the branches need to be easy to harvest from. Choose a cultivar that has above-average disease resistance (when available) and give it plenty of room to mature so it's not crowded by other plants, since good air circulation (and access to the canopy for pruning, spraying, harvesting, etc.) is important. Peaches are self-pollinating, so at least you won't need to choose a compatible pollinator (as would be the case for some other fruit trees).
You can find a cultivar list (it's not exhaustive, but a guide to good varieties among commonly-available cultivars) and some care and troubleshooting information on our Growing Stone Fruits in a Home Garden page. Some area nurseries may stock dwarf peach trees that are kept dwarf based on the rootstock the grower used, but a few may also have "true" dwarf (dwarf by genetics) varieties as well, which are in the minority. A couple genetic dwarf peach varieties (as well as some non-dwarf peach varieties) are only grown for decorative use (flowers and/or colorful foliage), so if you call ahead to ask what's in stock, you may want to specify that you're looking for a fruiting peach.
Miri
If you are new to growing peaches (or any fruit tree, at least as the primary caretaker of the plant), be aware that they are high-maintenance plants compared to berry bushes and ornamental plants used decoratively in home landscapes. Fruit trees are vulnerable to several pest and disease issues that may require preventative measures like annual pesticide applications (organic or otherwise). They also are pruned a bit differently than a non-fruiting tree, in part because the branches need to be easy to harvest from. Choose a cultivar that has above-average disease resistance (when available) and give it plenty of room to mature so it's not crowded by other plants, since good air circulation (and access to the canopy for pruning, spraying, harvesting, etc.) is important. Peaches are self-pollinating, so at least you won't need to choose a compatible pollinator (as would be the case for some other fruit trees).
You can find a cultivar list (it's not exhaustive, but a guide to good varieties among commonly-available cultivars) and some care and troubleshooting information on our Growing Stone Fruits in a Home Garden page. Some area nurseries may stock dwarf peach trees that are kept dwarf based on the rootstock the grower used, but a few may also have "true" dwarf (dwarf by genetics) varieties as well, which are in the minority. A couple genetic dwarf peach varieties (as well as some non-dwarf peach varieties) are only grown for decorative use (flowers and/or colorful foliage), so if you call ahead to ask what's in stock, you may want to specify that you're looking for a fruiting peach.
Miri
