Peach Tree Location?

Hello everyone!

I'm new to Permies (been reading for months, finally registered) and Permaculture, and really well......gardening.

I've tried several vegetable gardens (all annuals) with little success. I discovered permaculture about a year ago and have taken off doing massive amounts of research. I feel that I'm ready to begin the journey for myself, because nothing teaches more than hands on experience. I also seem to be in an area where there is not many like minded people around for me to ask for advice so.....the internet it is!

I purchased my first fruit tree a few days ago, and I'm having a very hard time deciding where to plant the little baby. (3 gallon tree)

I have made a drawing of my back yard with shade represented and some other possible future projects drawn in.
I'm sorry if its difficult to look at, I'm just looking for advice on where to put this tree. The shade is Yellow-Morning, Blue-Midday, Orange-Afternoon. Each square is 2ft and this is to scale. All the Grey pathway areas are not in yet, I just put them down for possible locations in the future.

The back yard faces exactly north, and I'm hoping to find a spot where it will get the morning sun, but be protected from the harsh Arizona afternoons.
One of my main concerns is, my home has a back alley where all of the utilities run to (represented by little dashed lines). I am hoping someone can tell me how much of a concern this is as far as root growth is concerned.

Anything can be changed and all advice is welcome!

I like your map!

What kind of peach tree? Do you know the variety? Right off I'd be concerned you are not giving it enough space from the house.

When you say harsh afternoons, what sort of temperatures do you get?

Eric Bee wrote:I like your map!

Thank you! I'm a very visual person, so this helps me a lot. As far as it being close to the house, I could move it further out, but there are other places I could put it such as the east side of the pine tree perhaps?

Eric Bee wrote:
What kind of peach tree? Do you know the variety?

Its a July Elberta Peach on Nemaguard Peach root-stock. I'm not sure if this means it will reach its full 15-25 ft or not because all the tag says is "Can be kept at the desired height with summer pruning."

Eric Bee wrote:
When you say harsh afternoons, what sort of temperatures do you get?

As far as temperature is concerned, we are milder that a lot of other areas in Arizona, but from mid May to the beginning of July when the rains start, we get temperatures ranging from 90-100F. The hottest part of the day is typically 2-6pm

So looking at some climate data gives me an idea of how long it's that hot:

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/sierra-vista/arizona/united-states/usaz0214

Doesn't look that bad, but of course it may be different at your place. With the caveat that I am not that knowledgeable of pomology I don't think you'll have any trouble with those temperatures or with full sun.

As you no doubt know peaches like heat and sun and need a good solid dose of it every day to be happy. The area close to the house will be too shaded by far, I think.  (I misunderstood your direction initially)

So if it were me I'd plant both trees on the north end of your property so they get the most sun. It may not be possible to verify the temperature extremes or amount of sun in your specific location, but my gut says you'll be ok. A second or third opinion of course wouldn't hurt

Also, I like to plant fruit trees in ways that makes it easier for pollinators, thus both near each other. YMMV and I'm not sure how big that pine is to allow that. I'd be tempted to move the "unplanted bed" down a bit and put both peaches up there. That said, of course aesthetics are important and only you can judge.

I actually only have one peach tree, those dots were just alternate location ideas.

The unplanted bed to the north was actually where I had originally thought to put it, so the fact that you think that would work is great. I think I'll put it there. I'll build a gutter system off the shed to water it. I know these guys aren't supposed to be drought tolerant.

Thank you for the help Eric!

Oh yeah, the shed. Good idea!

I've lost like ten peach trees and almost all my cherries in this damned drought (California). If I'd spent more time on the rainwater system I could have prevented that.

Good luck Anna!