🍑 Peach

Peaches are self-fertile and cropping well in the UK against a warm wall or in a greenhouse. Compact varieties such as Garden Lady and Bonanza grow in large pots on patios and give a surprising harvest.

The major problem is peach leaf curl, a fungal disease spread by rain in winter and spring. Keep trees dry in winter by covering with a clear plastic sheet or growing under glass.

Varieties to try

Peregrine (reliable, outdoors)Rochester (heavy, good flavour)Garden Lady (dwarf, for pots)Duke of York (early)Avalon Pride (leaf-curl resistant)

Plant in November to March in a sheltered, sunny spot against a south or west wall, in fertile, free-draining soil. Fan-train on wires. Dwarf types can be grown in a 45 cm pot in loam-based compost.

Peaches are self-fertile. Dig in compost, plant graft 5 cm above ground, mulch, and water in. Protect from rain in winter and spring.

Top tips

• Choose a sheltered wall.
• Cover from rain in winter.
• Use a large pot for dwarfs.
• Mulch well.

From January to May, cover the tree with a clear plastic sheet (open at the sides) to keep rain off the leaves and prevent peach leaf curl. Hand-pollinate the flowers in March with a soft brush. Thin fruitlets to 10–15 cm apart in May to June.

Water regularly in summer, particularly pots. Feed with high-potash fertiliser. Prune in spring and summer, never winter, to avoid silver leaf. Protect blossom from frost.

Top tips

• Cover against rain Jan–May.
• Hand-pollinate flowers.
• Thin fruit.
• Prune in spring and summer.

Watch out for

Peach leaf curlAphidsRed spider mite under glassWasps and birdsFrost damage

Peaches are ready when the flesh near the stalk gives slightly under gentle pressure and they have a sweet scent, in August to September. They should come away from the tree with a gentle twist. Cup the fruit in your palm.

Pick over several weeks. Eat immediately for the best flavour.

Peaches ripen quickly once they colour, so check trees every day. Unripe fruits that are picked too early will soften but never gain full sweetness. When harvesting from a fan, take care not to knock branches, as fruit bruises easily.

Top tips

• Cup and twist gently.
• Pick when slightly soft.
• Pick over several weeks.
• Eat quickly.

Eat fresh, grill, poach, bake in pies and cobblers, or make jam, chutney and ice cream. Peaches pair with raspberries, vanilla and almonds. Skin by dipping in boiling water for 30 seconds.

Ripe fruit keeps for 2–3 days; keep unripe fruit at room temperature. Freeze slices with lemon juice, or bottle in syrup.

Top tips

• Peel by blanching.
• Freeze slices with lemon.
• Pair with raspberries.
• Bottle in syrup.