Nectarine Trees in France: One-Hectare Plot Establishment and Work Schedule

Quick read / The essentials about the nectarine tree

The nectarine tree (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) is a staple of professional orchards, prized for its juicy, sweet fruit. Its cultivation requires careful planning , from soil preparation to irrigation and fertilization management. Well-drained soil, optimized planting, and meticulous maintenance are the foundations of a successful orchard.

To ensure quality production, it is essential to source from a reliable supplier . As a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , Arboriverse offers you selected plants, adapted to the requirements of professional arborists. Our expertise supports you in all stages of setting up and managing your orchard.

If you are considering buying nectarine plants , it is recommended to plant them in the fall or spring , with an optimal spacing of 4 to 5 meters between rows and 3 to 4 meters within the row . Installing a drip irrigation system ensures a regular water supply, which is essential for the trees to grow well.

The nectarine tree is mostly self-fertile , which makes it easy to grow, but cross-pollination with other varieties can increase yield and improve fruit quality. To maximize fruit set, incorporating 15 to 25% pollinator trees is a good solution.

Thanks to its expertise, Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , will assist you in the selection and planting of your plants. To ensure optimal growth and abundant production, it is essential to purchase nectarine plants from a professional and certified channel.

Typical implantation for a plot of one hectare of nectarine trees

1. Preparation of the ground

• Soil Test: Conduct a complete soil test to determine pH, texture, and nutrient levels. The nectarine tree prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.2).
• Soil work:
  • Deep plowing (40-50 cm) in the autumn before planting to loosen the soil and eliminate weeds.
  • Carry out subsoiling if necessary to break up compact layers at depth.
  • Refine the soil structure by harrowing in spring.
• Drainage: Ensure good drainage. Install an underground drainage system if the soil is poorly drained, with drains spaced 10-15 meters apart.
• Soil amendment:
  • Add 30-50 tonnes/ha of well-rotted manure or compost.
  • Incorporate well-rotted organic matter.
  • Apply 2-3 tonnes/ha of lime if the pH is below 6.5.
• Basic fertilization: Add basic fertilizers according to the needs revealed by the soil analysis:
  • Phosphorus (P2O5): 100-150 kg/hectare
  • Potash (K2O): 150-200 kg/hectare
• Final preparation:
  • Level the ground.
  • Set up an irrigation system.

2. Planting

• Spacing:
  • 4-5 m between rows and 3-4 m in the row.
  • Plan for approximately 500-800 trees/ha.
  • Space optimization: Trellising allows the spacing between trees to be reduced by around 30-50%, typically going from 4-5 m to 2-3 m between rows.
• Period: Preferably in autumn (October-November) or early spring (March).
• Planting holes: Adapt the dimensions of the holes to the root system of the plants.
• Staking: The Nectared 6 nectarine tree does not require staking. However, for other varieties, it is recommended to install a stake to support the trunk, especially during the first few years, to encourage straight growth and protect against strong winds.

3. Irrigation

• Irrigation system: Drip with drippers spaced 50-75 cm along the rows.
• Water requirements:
  • Regular watering (30-40 L/tree/week) the first year.
  • Monitor soil moisture and irrigate regularly, especially during fruit formation.
  • Increased irrigation (40-50 L/tree/week) in year 3.
  • In full production (60-80 L/tree/week).

4. Pollination

• Self-fertile: The nectarine tree ( Prunus persica var. nucipersica ) is generally self-fertile, meaning that it can pollinate itself without requiring the presence of other varieties.
• Cross-pollination: Although self-pollination is possible, cross-pollination can significantly improve fruit yield and quality.
  • To optimize production, it is recommended to integrate 15 to 25% of pollinator trees into the orchard to increase the fruit set rate and quality.
• Spacing: A distance of 4 to 6 meters between trees is generally recommended to allow good air circulation and facilitate the movement of pollinating insects.
• Encourage the presence of pollinators: It is crucial not to use phytosanitary products harmful to these insects during the flowering period.

5. Trellising (Optional)

• Trellising is not strictly necessary, but it has several technical advantages:
  • Space optimization
  • Improved photosynthesis
  • Facilitation of cultural operations
  • Vigor control
  • Frost protection
  • Fruit quality
• Techniques:
  • Use posts 3-4 m high, spaced 4-5 m apart.
  • Install 3-4 horizontal wires, spaced 50 cm apart.

10-Year Work Schedule for a One-Hectare Nectar Plot

Year 1: Planting and Establishment

• October-November: Soil preparation. Deep ploughing (40-50 cm) and incorporation of 30-40 t/ha of well-rotted manure.
• November-March: Planting of trees with a spacing of 4-5 m between rows and 3-4 m in the row (500-800 trees/ha).
• March-April: Formative pruning to establish the tree's framework (3-4 main branches).
• May-September: Regular watering (30-40 L/tree/week) and weeding.
• June-August: Split fertilization (30-40 units N, 20-30 units P, 40-50 units K per ha).

Year 2: Tree Formation

• January-February: Winter pruning to continue training (removal of 30-40% of the branches).
• March: Preventive treatment against blister (2-3 applications of 1.25% Bordeaux mixture).
• April-May: Manual thinning of fruit (keep 1 fruit every 10-15 cm).
• May-September: Continue watering and fertilizing as in year 1.
• July-August: First small harvest possible (1-2 kg/tree).

Year 3: Start of production

• January-February: Winter pruning (removal of 25-30% of the branches).
• March-April: Preventive treatments (blister, powdery mildew) and basic fertilization (60-80 units N, 40-50 units P, 80-100 units K per ha).
• May: Thinning of fruits (keep 1 fruit every 8-10 cm).
• June-August: Harvest (5-10 kg/tree). Increased irrigation (40-50 L/tree/week).
• September: Post-harvest fertilization (20-30 units N, 30-40 units K per ha).

Years 4-7: Production growth

• Continuation of the year 3 schedule with gradual increase in doses:
• Fertilization: +20% per year up to 120-150 N units, 80-100 P units, 150-180 K units per ha in year 7.
• Irrigation: up to 60-70 L/tree/week in full production.
• Harvest: Increase to 20-30 kg/tree in year 7.

Years 8+: Full production

• January-February: Fruiting pruning (renewal of 20-25% of branches).
• March: Preventive treatments and basic fertilization (120-150 units N, 80-100 units P, 150-180 units K per ha).
• April-May: Thinning (1 fruit every 6-8 cm to obtain 200-250 fruits/tree).
• May-August: Intensive irrigation (60-80 L/tree/week) and phytosanitary treatments if necessary.
• July-September: Staggered harvest (25-40 kg/tree, or 15-25 t/ha).
• October: Post-harvest fertilization (30-40 units N, 40-50 units K per ha).

Recurring annual operations:

• Winter pruning (February-March)
• Winter treatment (oil + copper)
• Basic fertilization (end of winter)
• Treatments against leaf curl (budding)
• Thinning (May-June)
• Maintenance fertilization (split from May to July)
• Irrigation (from April to September)
• Phytosanitary treatments (as needed)
• Harvest (July-September depending on the variety)
• Working the soil in the row (autumn)

Weed control:

First year after planting:

• Apply organic mulch (straw, wood chips) over a width of 1-1.5 m on each side of the row, to a thickness of 10-15 cm.
• Perform mechanical weeding between rows every 3-4 weeks with a tine cultivator or rotovator.
• Carry out manual weeding at the base of the trees within a radius of 50 cm, 2-3 times during the season.

Second year and following:

• Maintain the mulch in the row (renew if necessary).
• Carry out 4-6 mechanical weeding passes between the rows, spaced 3-4 weeks apart.
• Carry out thermal weeding on the row if necessary, avoiding burning the bark of the trees.

This calendar is a guide and should be adapted according to local conditions, variety specificities and field observations.

To summarize: the Nectarine tree

Cultivating nectarines is a demanding activity, requiring careful soil preparation, optimized irrigation management and regular phytosanitary monitoring . Successful establishment requires deep soil cultivation , the addition of organic matter and fertilization adapted to the specific needs of the species.

The recommended spacing between trees (4-5 m between rows and 3-4 m within the row) allows for optimal growth and fruiting. Irrigation is a key element of yield: a drip system is highly recommended to ensure a regular water supply, particularly during the fruit formation phase.

One of the nectarine's strengths is its self-fertility , but cross-pollination can improve fruit set and crop quality. Careful crop management, including annual pruning, balanced fertilization, and fruit thinning , helps maximize production potential.

To ensure the success of your orchard, choose a trusted partner. Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , offers a wide range of robust plants adapted to professional requirements. Whether you are in the process of establishing or renewing your orchard, we support you with certified and rigorously selected plants.

If you're looking to buy nectarine plants , trust Arboriverse to provide you with quality plants that are tailored to growing conditions and market expectations. Our experts are available to advise you and help you optimize your production.