The Best Peach Trees to Plant in Kansas
Peach trees, like many other stone fruits, require cold weather to properly set fruit, making Kansas a good location for the trees. The whole state is in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 5 and 6, making it a prime growing spot for these sweet fruits. Peaches (Prunus persica) require between 600 and 900 hours of chill time (temperatures below 45 degrees F) during the dormant winter season and warm summers for fruit to properly ripen.
In Kansas, several peach tree varieties will thrive, and all should be planted in full sun and get regular water. Most peach trees require a cross-pollinator, so plant them in pairs.
Elberta
Originally from Georgia, this peach is found in grocery stores in the fall and is a medium to large fruit with yellow skin that is blushed with red. It should be ready to harvest in August. The flesh is yellow and firm and the flavor is sweet. Elberta peach trees will thrive in East and Central Kansas, as they require plenty of winter chill as well as high summer heat to produce sugars. These trees should not be planted in the western part of the state, as there will not be enough heat in the summer to get good flavor.
- Peach trees, like many other stone fruits, require cold weather to properly set fruit, making Kansas a good location for the trees.
- Elberta peach trees will thrive in East and Central Kansas, as they require plenty of winter chill as well as high summer heat to produce sugars.
J.H. Hale
The J.H. Hale peach tree produces large fruit that may be as big as a softball. The skin of the fruit is smoother than many other varieties, and is a bright yellow. The flesh is yellow, firm and sweet, and this peach stores better than other varieties.
J.H. Hale trees produce fruit in late August and require a cross-pollinator, but should not be planted with the Halberta cultivar. This tree should be pruned regularly for the best harvest.
- The J.H.
- Hale peach tree produces large fruit that may be as big as a softball.
- J.H.
- Hale trees produce fruit in late August and require a cross-pollinator, but should not be planted with the Halberta cultivar.
Redhaven
Considered the best of the early peach varieties, the Redhaven may be planted anywhere in Kansas, as it does not require high summer heat to ripen. The fruit is about the size of a baseball and has yellow skin with a bright red highlight. The flesh is firm, yellow and not too acidic.
Redhaven trees are heavy producers and should be thinned out to get a good crop. The fruit gets its skin color early, and should be tested for ripeness before picking. Fruit is generally ready for harvest in late July.
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References
- Nature Hills: Fruit Tree Catalog
- "Sunset National Garden Book"; edited by the staff of Sunset Publishing and Sunset Magazine; 1997
- Backyard Gardener: J.H. Hale Peach
Writer Bio
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
