Nectarine

Nectarines need full sun and sharply drained loam near pH 6.0-6.5, with moderate soil-test-based fertility. Like peaches, they bear on one-year-old wood, so annual pruning and fruit thinning are essential for good-sized fruit and healthy branches.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Water deeply during establishment; adjust to rainfall and soil

Spacing

180 in

First harvest

2–4 years

Tips

• Choose a climate-adapted grafted tree and plant with the graft union above soil in a sunny, airy site.
• Water deeply during the first seasons and fruit enlargement, avoiding repeated wetting of foliage and fruit.
• Apply modest spring fertilizer only as soil tests and shoot growth indicate, avoiding late nitrogen.
• Build an open-center framework during establishment, then renew fruiting wood annually and thin fruit about 6-8 inches apart.
• Monitor for leaf curl, brown rot, and thrips scarring, and harvest when background color loses its green cast and fruit begins to soften.

Plant dormant grafted bare-root trees in early spring or container-grown trees in spring.

Hear about it on the show