Peach Tree Seeds for Sale – Your Guide to Growing Peaches from Seed

Peach trees are a delight to grow in any home garden. Not only do they produce the sweet, juicy fruit that we all know and love, but they are also visually stunning with their pink blossoms in spring. The good news is that growing peach trees from seed can be easy and rewarding if you follow some simple tips. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about purchasing and planting peach tree seeds for sale.

Buying High Quality Peach Tree Seeds

The first step is acquiring high quality peach tree seeds from a reputable supplier. When shopping online at sites like Amazon or specialty seed sellers, be sure to read reviews and product details. Ideal peach tree seeds will be non-GMO, heirloom varieties with a high germination rate above 80%. Popular varieties like Red Haven, Elberta, and Hale Haven make great choices.

Many seed packets contain just a few seeds, so buy more than you need to allow for some that don’t germinate. Expect to pay around $5 to $15 for a packet, depending on the amount and variety. Carefully follow planting instructions on the packet to give your seeds the best chance of sprouting.

When buying, look for:

• Viable, non-treated seeds – not “decoys” that won’t sprout
• Ideally 80% or higher germination rate
• Reputable brand with good reviews
• Proper botanical name like Prunus persica
• Harvest date within 1 year for optimal freshness

Avoid old, mystery or bulk bin seeds which often have poor viability Getting healthy, fresh seeds from the start gives your seedlings their best shot at thriving.

When to Plant Peach Seeds

Peach seeds require a cold treatment before they will sprout. This dormancy period mimics winter so the seeds know spring has arrived and it’s time to grow.

To achieve this, you should plant seeds in late fall or early winter to expose them to adequate chilling Or, you can artificially stratify them first by placing seeds in moist perlite or peat and storing in the refrigerator for 2-3 months before planting

Outdoor planting is typically done after the last frost date, in late spring/early summer. If starting seeds indoors, aim for 4-6 weeks before your frost free date.

How to Plant Peach Seeds

When ready to plant, place peach seeds 1-2 inches deep in well-drained, loamy soil. Space seeds at least 6 feet apart if planting a home orchard. Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy.

You can also start seeds indoors in containers or seed trays filled with seed starting mix Just make sure to harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors

Seeds take variable time to sprout, anywhere from a few weeks up to 2 months depending on conditions. Be patient! Once they sprout, thin seedlings to the strongest plant.

Growing Peaches from Seedlings

With proper care, peach trees grown from seed can bear fruit within 2-4 years. However, fruit quality and taste can be unpredictable compared to grafted named varieties. Peach seeds are genetically diverse, so you never know exactly what you’ll end up with. Some seed-grown fruits are sublime, while others can be bland or mealy.

Still, growing peaches from the seed in your backyard has an old-fashioned, wholesome appeal. You’ll learn as you go and can always top-work your seedling tree to a tastier variety later on.

To help your planted peach pits become strong saplings, be sure to:

• Water 1-2 inches per week, more in drought or heat
• Weed and loosen soil regularly
• Fertilize in spring with compost or balanced organic fertilizer
• Prune to an open vase shape, removing inward facing branches
• Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart when they start forming

Transplanting Peach Trees

Young peach trees should be transplanted when dormant in late fall or early spring. Carefully dig up the entire root ball and move it to a new hole dug slightly wider than the roots. Backfill with soil, tamp down, water deeply and add mulch. Staking may be needed while roots establish.

Transplant shock may set back growth the first year, but the tree should bounce back nicely with TLC.

Common Pests and Diseases

Peach trees can fall victim to several insects and diseases, especially when young. Here are some potential problems to watch for:

• Peach borers: Larvae tunnel and feed inside trunks. Keep trees healthy and scrape away gum oozing from holes.

• Oriental fruit moth: Young fruits attacked by larva leaving entries for rot. Use pheromone traps and removal of infested fruits.

• Leaf curl: Leaves pucker and curl from fungal infection. Plant resistant varieties and apply copper spray early.

• Cytospora canker: Fungal disease creating sunken dead areas on bark. Prune out affected branches promptly.

• Bacterial spot: Angular leaf spots and defoliation. Use preventative copper sprays and avoid overhead watering.

Promptly removing and destroying infected/infested plant material can help reduce spread of diseases. Maintaining overall tree vigor with proper care is also key to resisting problems.

Time to Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor

Growing luscious peaches from the pit may require time and patience, but the payoff is worth it. The incomparable flavor of freshly harvested peaches ripened on the tree is a high point of summer. Take pride in nurturing your own fruit-bearing, heirloom peach tree.

When shopping for seeds online, look for varieties that thrive in your climate. Follow package instructions closely and provide young trees with attentive care. Before you know it, you’ll be biting into juicy, sweet homegrown peaches!

For more on planting peach pits specifically, check out this useful video: