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Input and advice on peach varieties for hot climate

 
pollinator
Posts: 134
Location: Zone 8B Blackland Prairie, Tx
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I've been researching some mid-low chill peaches to try and find varieties that will grow well in my backyard.
I'm in Zone 8B, central texas, so we get anywhere from 400-700 chill hours depending on the year. Very strong direct sun, heat in the 100s during the summer, and a really long hot growing season (usually April-October).

I would love to hear your opinions or experiences with any of these varieties!

VarietyChill HoursStoneRipens
Flat Delight1450Semi-free
Rio Grande400ClingMay
La Feliciana450-550FreeJune
Sam Houston500FreeJune
Florida King450ClingMay
Texas Prince500FreeJune
Royal Zest500ClingJune
Texas King400
TexStar450Semi-freeMay
Strawberry400-500FreeJune-July
Babcock250-300July
Gold Dust550June
July Elberta400-500July
Scarlet Robe400July



I've also heard that Sentinels, Harvesters, Reglobe, Redskins, Dixieland, Springold, Biccentennials, June Gold, Bounty, and Red Baron varities are good options. Still looking up information on their respective chill hours.

One of the things I have to keep in mind is that our soil is 90% Houston Black Clay. It's very rich in nutrients but is extremely hard-packed and riddled with limestone and calichi deposits. I'm planning on sowing a cover crop over the entire backyard this winter to chop-and-drop in the spring (probably a winter rye/vetch mix). We have very little topsoil back there right now (probably only about 8 inches) so I've got a lot of work to do to build better soil and increase organic matter.
 
gardener
Posts: 570
Location: Central Texas
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I'm a bit north of you, near Waco (8a), and have had good results with the 'Sam Houston' cultivar. I planted it last year and got one little peach this year, but I'm more impressed with the heat tolerance and the fact that I haven't watered it since last summer. It has also held up against the pest pressure (which has been horrible last winter and to this summer.
 
gardener
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Location: yakima valley, central washington, pacific northwest zone 6b
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Hi there!  

I found this link to a website about Peach Production in Texas awhile back and thought it seemed pretty legit.  Considering that Fredricksburg has such great success growning yummy peaches I thought there had to be some varieties that I could grow around the San Antonio area, but I just wasn't ready this year so I will pass this onto you!

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/peach/peach.html

Best of luck!  Let me know if you find this helpful and I would love to keep up with your progress if you do decide to plant a variety or two.

Be Well,
Sunflower

P.S. This article is from 1998 so it is possible that our Central Texas climate has changed a bit, but I believe they mention chilling next to the varieties so that may be helpful.
 
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