My Frost Peach has finally decided to bear some fruit. They are sorta on the small side but it’s the first crop. I thinned it some in July. Can’t wait to taste.
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I’ve said it, because that’s what they use to tell me at the research station in Corvallis! But we just finished up a bag of excellent peaches grown near Dixon, MT, and you’re doing it, so I’m happy to be wrong. We also get some truly marvelous canteloupes and other melons from Dixon.
Congratulations and keep at it!
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I think its a lot harder to accomplish this on the “East” side of the divide. Specially in the Helena valley where its almost desert like. If you don’t try how can you prove old proverbs wrong?:
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Hello- I know this is old how
Did this turn out? I am over by Bozeman and going to try some contenders. Sadly though I am higher elevation so a bit worried
I live in the black hills of South Dakota, and I grow peaches at my home which is at 5000 feet of elevation. You are right, it’s tough because of the late snows and all of the freeze/thaw in the winter. On average my peach blossoms get snowed on about twice each spring. The warm ups in the winter do plenty of damage as well. I grow peaches and apricots sort of like roses. I keep them about 5 feet tall, and wrap a 3 foot tall, 3 foot diameter fence around them in the fall and fill the fencing with pine needles. Pine needles I think are good for this, as they drain better, and don’t become a wet mess like leaves. This maneuver protects the trunk from warming up in the winter sun, and the amount of winter kill is a lot less. When the trees start to bloom, I take out enough pine needles to let the bees work, but still provide some protection from late snows and freezes.
This is all a lot of work, but you are doing it for fun and challenge, not high volume production. It’s fun to sit around the table with your family and enjoy a few peaches, which fresh off the tree are great. Redhaven and PFC24 Cold Hardy have worked well in my weather and have very good flavor, but I am sure there are others that would work for you. We usually get a few nights to -20F each winter, with warm ups into the 50s. Good luck.
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I live in an area that is a cold sink hole in ohio. We are going to be just a few degrees from frost the next two nights. Unbelievable. Of my 16 peach trees, contender has been the best cold/frost tree. However, I have a one year old Frost peach that came through with peaches this spring when other 2-3 old trees had none from winter damage. Likely will be getting more of those. China Pearl is billed as one of the toughest white peaches for cold. Just planted a PF-24C this spring. Love what Toby said too.
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