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!
Variety | Chill Hours | Stone | Ripens |
---|
Flat Delight1 | 450 | Semi-free |
Rio Grande | 400 | Cling | May |
La Feliciana | 450-550 | Free | June |
Sam Houston | 500 | Free | June |
Florida King | 450 | Cling | May |
Texas Prince | 500 | Free | June |
Royal Zest | 500 | Cling | June |
Texas King | 400 |
TexStar | 450 | Semi-free | May |
Strawberry | 400-500 | Free | June-July |
Babcock | 250-300 | July |
Gold Dust | 550 | June |
July Elberta | 400-500 | July |
Scarlet Robe | 400 | July |
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.