Peach trees in France: Planting a one-hectare plot and work schedule

Quick Read / The Essentials of Peach Trees

The peach tree (Prunus persica) is an essential fruit tree in professional orchards, requiring rigorous planting and careful monitoring to ensure regular, high-quality production. Its optimal development depends on well-prepared soil, appropriate fertilization, and a precise technical process from planting to harvesting.

The success of a peach orchard depends on the choice of vigorous plants that are well adapted to local conditions. As a specialist wholesale supplier of peach plants , Arboriverse offers you plants selected for their resistance and high production potential. We support arborists in all stages of the establishment and maintenance of their orchard.

If you are considering buying peach trees , it is recommended to plant them between November and March , with a spacing of 4-5 m between rows and 2-3 m within the row (400 to 800 trees/ha). The installation of a drip irrigation system is essential to ensure controlled hydration throughout the growing cycle.

Fruit thinning , pruning, and fertilizer application are crucial to optimizing fruit set and crop quality. Peach trees are generally self-fertile , but introducing multiple varieties into the orchard can improve pollination and productivity.

Thanks to its expertise, Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of peach plants , guarantees you a supply of certified plants adapted to the requirements of arborists. To guarantee the profitability and longevity of your orchard, choose peach plants from a rigorous and professional selection .

Typical Layout for a Plot of One Hectare of Peach Trees

1. Preparation of the ground

• Choice of soil: Choose well-drained soil, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.2).
• Soil Test: Perform a soil test to adjust fertility if necessary. It is essential to perform a soil test to obtain more information regarding soil characteristics and nutrient availability.
• Soil work:
  • Work the soil deeply (60-80 cm) to encourage good rooting.
• Soil amendment:
  • Application of well-rotted manure: 40-60 t/ha of rotted manure or 4-6 t/ha of compost.
• Drainage: Ensure good drainage.
• Windbreaks: Consider installing windbreaks if your land is exposed.

2. Planting

• Planting period: The optimal planting period is generally between November and March. Planting is done with bare roots, ideally between November and March.
• Density: 400-800 trees/ha depending on the training system.
• Spacing: Allow 4-5 m between rows and 2-3 m within the row.
• Planting holes: Dig holes 3 to 4 times larger than the root ball.
• Staking: To support the tree in the open air, it is recommended to install a stake during planting to avoid damaging the roots. Staking must be done early to be effective and minimally traumatic.

3. Irrigation

• Irrigation system: Drip recommended.
• Water requirements:
  • Water thoroughly (20-30 L/tree) after planting.
  • Regular watering (30-40 L/tree/week) the first year.
  • Adjust irrigation according to climatic conditions and the tree's needs.

4. Choice of varieties

• Adapted varieties: Ensure that you offer varieties adapted to the specific region of your customers.
• Self-fertile: The Hale Early Peach is self-fertile, meaning it does not require a pollinator to produce fruit.
• Pollination: Although the source does not explicitly mention it, it is generally recommended to plant another pollinator tree nearby to improve pollination and fruit production.

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

Year 0 (Preparing the ground)

• Complete soil analysis (pH, nutrients, texture).
• Deep plowing (40-50 cm) in summer or early autumn.
• Base dressing: 40-60 t/ha of decomposed manure or 4-6 t/ha of compost.
• Leveling and preparation of the ground.
• Installation of the irrigation system (drip recommended).

Year 1 (Planting)

• Planting trees in winter (November to March):
  • Density: 400-800 trees/ha depending on the training system.
  • Spacing: 4-5 m between rows, 2-3 m in the row.
• Initial training size.
• Starter fertilization: 50-100 g/tree of balanced NPK fertilizer.
• Regular irrigation: 20-30 L/tree/week.
• Plant in autumn or winter, with a planting hole size of 50x50x50 cm. The roots should not be pruned, and the height of the root collar should reach the soil surface. A stake can be placed before filling the hole with the original soil.

Year 2: Tree Formation

• Training pruning (February-March).
• Fertilization: 100-150 g/tree of NPK fertilizer.
• Preventive phytosanitary treatment (blister, powdery mildew).
• Irrigation: 30-40 L/tree/week in season.
• March: Preventive treatment against blister (2-3 applications of 1.25% Bordeaux mixture).

Year 3: Start of production

• Fruiting pruning (February-March).
• Manual thinning of fruits (May-June): keep 1 fruit every 10-15 cm.
• Fertilization: 200-250 g/tree of NPK fertilizer.
• Irrigation: 40-50 L/tree/week in season.
• First small harvest possible (1-2 kg/tree).
• 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).

Year 4

• Fruiting size.
• Thinning: keep 1 fruit every 15-20 cm.
• Fertilization: 300-350 g/tree of NPK fertilizer.
• Irrigation: 50-60 L/tree/week in season.
• Harvest: 5-10 kg/tree.
• Winter: Start of fruiting pruning.
• Spring: Fertilization (70-80 g of nitrogen per tree).
• Summer: Irrigation (50-60 L/tree/week), manual thinning if necessary.

Years 5-15 (Full Production)

• Annual fruiting size.
• Thinning: keep 1 fruit every 20-25 cm.
• Fertilization: 400-500 g/tree of NPK fertilizer.
• Irrigation: 60-80 L/tree/week in season.
• Phytosanitary treatments according to the regional calendar.
• Harvest: 15-30 kg/tree (6-24 t/ha depending on density).

Annual operations (years 5-15)

1. Winter pruning (February-March).
2. Winter treatment (oil + copper).
3. Basic fertilization (end of winter).
4. Treatments against leaf curl (budding).
5. Thinning (May-June).
6. Maintenance fertilization (split from May to July).
7. Irrigation (from April to September).
8. Phytosanitary treatments (as needed).
9. Harvest (July-September depending on the variety).
10. Working the soil in the row (autumn).

Pruning techniques

• Pruning the peach tree is crucial for its fruiting.
• It is recommended to prune peach trees in late winter or in winter, between the end of February and March, to shorten or remove bare branches and encourage the appearance of new fruit-bearing branches.
• Pruning can help prevent certain diseases such as peach leaf curl by promoting better air circulation and removing dead or diseased branches.
• Cut back three-quarters of the wood that fruited the previous year to allow the tree to invest all its energy in forming new wood, which will fruit the following year.
• To maximize production, it is recommended to prune non-flowering branches above 2 or 3 buds and to shorten poorly flowering branches above a leaf bud.

Other recommendations

• Soil maintenance: In spring, lightly plow the base of the tree, at the level of the branches, and incorporate a special fruit tree fertilizer.
• Weeding: Weed frequently to keep the soil at the base of the tree clean.
• Mulching: Lay down a natural mulch with straw or pebbles.
• Monitoring Tree Health: When purchasing seedlings, make sure the trees are healthy and well-maintained.
• Regional Adaptation: Make sure the peach varieties you offer are adapted to the specific region of your customers.

This calendar is a guide and should be adapted according to local conditions, variety specificities and field observations. Pruning and thinning are essential techniques for optimizing peach production in professional orchards.

To summarize: the Peach Tree

Peach tree cultivation requires special attention from the outset to ensure a productive and sustainable orchard. Deep soil cultivation (60-80 cm), good drainage and the addition of organic matter (40-60 t/ha of manure or 4-6 t/ha of compost) are essential elements for the success of the plantation.

The recommended spacing is 4-5 meters between rows and 2-3 meters within the row , for a density varying between 400 and 800 trees per hectare depending on the training system. Staking is recommended to stabilize young plants and encourage their establishment.

A drip irrigation system is highly recommended to ensure efficient water management, especially during the first years of growth and during the production period . Pruning plays an essential role in the development of the peach tree: formative pruning in the first years allows for a good balance of the structure, while annual fruiting pruning promotes abundant and uniform production .

Fruit thinning is a key step in ensuring the quality and size of peaches: eliminating excess fruit promotes better nutrient distribution and optimal fruit size . In addition, a rigorous technical itinerary (preventive phytosanitary treatments, balanced fertilization) is necessary to preserve the health of the trees and maximize yield.

For a successful orchard, it is essential to source quality plants from a specialist. Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of peach plants , provides you with carefully selected plants to ensure vigorous growth and regular production .

If you are looking to buy peach plants , we offer solutions tailored to your business needs, ensuring successful planting and optimal profitability . Our experts will provide you with technical advice to maximize the performance of your orchard and ensure an abundant harvest year after year.