Peaches may be grown in many of the more temperate climates of the United States and lend themselves well to part-time farming operations. The start-up costs for peaches can be high depending on the production method chosen, land preparation, and initial investment in the trees. A commercial orchard is expected to be productive for at least 15 to 20 years, so this investment is spread over a longer period of time than that of many crops. Depending on the amount of land devoted to the orchard, production method, and tree size, equipment costs may be held to a minimum. If the orchard is a part of an existing agricultural operation, you may already have much of the needed equipment.
Peach production will require many hours of labor, depending on the size of the orchard. Land preparation and planting will require at least two people. During the summer months, the orchard will require mowing, multiple pesticide applications, and fruit thinning. Depending on the mix of varieties and orchard size, additional labor may be required at harvest time. Although you may be able to accomplish these tasks with family members and local part-time labor, use of hired labor may also be necessary.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), peaches are grown on more than 2,600 farms with over 14,500 acres in the northeastern United States. Pennsylvania generally produces around 40 million pounds of peaches with an annual value of approximately $20 million. Pennsylvania currently has about 4,000 acres of land devoted to peach production, but this is a decrease of around 40 percent from the late 1990s due to the removal of trees because of plum pox virus (PPV). PPV was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 1999, but through the joint efforts of growers, Penn State, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), and USDA, it has been eradicated from the Commonwealth. Peach acreage is slowly increasing, especially in the southcentral section of Pennsylvania.
Land Preparation
The land should be prepared as if planting a traditional field crop. The soil should be plowed and leveled with a disk and harrow. Starting with an even orchard floor will reduce the possibility of standing water and make fruit harvesting and transportation easier. Establishing an orchard in well-prepared soil rather than established sod will also aid in keeping the tree rows and row middles free of broadleaf weeds. The elimination of any broadleaf weeds or plants is crucial prior to planting peaches. Broadleaf field crops such as soybeans or alfalfa should not be grown prior to planting peaches. These plants may harbor a virus responsible for Prunus stem pitting, a serious disease in peaches.
Prior to planting trees, a soil fertility test and nematode survey are recommended. Penn State provides a soil testing service through the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory for a fee. You can contact the lab through its website or by calling 814-863-0841. You will want to request a complete nutrient analysis plus organic matter. Nematode testing services are available from the University of Delaware Plant Diagnostic Clinic (or call 302-831-1390) or the Virginia Tech Nematode Assay Laboratory (call 540-231-4650). The two tests may be taken at the same time, but the soil samples must be handled differently. Consult the instructions on both kits to ensure accurate results.
The results from the soil test provide recommendations for any soil amendments such as lime and/ or fertilizer needed prior to orchard establishment. The best way to add soil amendments for an orchard is to incorporate them into the soil prior to planting trees. The nematode survey is critical before planting peaches to determine if any treatments are needed to eliminate harmful nematodes. Left untreated, nematodes may damage the root system of the trees and can stunt or kill them before they bear fruit. This will result in uneven tree growth and delayed or decreased production.
Fertilization
Nutritional requirements for peach trees vary through their lifetimes and are influenced by such factors as rootstock, crop load, soil type, and weather conditions. In addition to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, peach trees need adequate levels of calcium, boron, copper, and zinc to maintain the health of the tree and produce quality fruit. After planting, soil tests and leaf analyses are recommended at least once every three years. A leaf analysis is the most accurate way to determine if applied soil amendments are being used by the tree. Leaf analysis test kits can be purchased at your county extension office or ordered online.
