Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Nectarines are easy to grow and easy to can or freeze.
Almost all nursery stock is grafted rather than grown from
seed for a number of reasons, but the effect of this is that if
two trees of the same type and variety are selected, they may
be genetically the same exact plant and thus incapable of
pollinating each other, causing low fruit yields. More than
one of any stone fruit should be selected to aid in pollination,
and it is important to consult with knowledgeable nursery
personnel about exactly what varieties need to be grown to
ensure proper pollination. Space nectarines, peaches, plums,
and apricots anywhere from 15 to 20 feet apart, and space
cherries anywhere from 20 to 30 feet apart for best pollination
and fruit yields.
Stone fruits should be planted in early spring by digging a
hole big enough to accommodate the entire root system
without bunching it up or looping it around and deep enough
that the graft union is about two inches above the ground.
Once the soil is filled back into the hole, the area should be
watered thoroughly to help the soil settle around the roots.
Stone fruits should be fertilized in early spring only (using a
balanced organic fertilizer) and never later in the summer.
Fertilizing in late summer will cause vigorous growth that the
root system hasn't grown enough to support so the tree could
be harmed and have difficulty overwintering. By fertilizing in
the early spring, the tree has a chance to grow in a balanced
