How to Grow Peaches From a Pit

A peach is the fruit of the peach tree, known scientifically as Prunus persica. This tree is native to China and is in cultivation throughout temperate regions of the world. Commercial peach trees grow from grafted rootstock since they do not grow true from seed. Home gardeners can also grow a peach tree from a pit, although the resulting tree may not closely resemble its parent. Peach pits require a minimum period of cold, known as a chilling requirement to germinate.

Knife
Plastic bag
Paper towels
Organic compost
Straw

Instructions

- 1
  Gather very ripe peaches after they drop to the ground in the fall. Peach pits from trees that produce fruit late in the year are the easiest to germinate.
- 2
  Cut the flesh of the peach away from the pit with a knife. Remove any remaining flesh from the pit with a scrubbing pad and wash the pits with water. Allow the pits to dry thoroughly.
- 3
  Line a plastic bag with damp paper towels and place the pits in the bag. Keep the bag open and refrigerate at a temperature between 34 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 4
  Moisten the paper towels periodically to keep the towels moist. Take the peach pits out of the refrigerator when they start to sprout, which usually requires 2 to 8 weeks.
- 5
  Select a planting site in full sun with good drainage. Plant the peach pits at a depth of 3 to 4 inches with the root pointed down. Fill the hole with organic compost and cover the soil with 1 inch of straw.
- 6
  Water the peach pits with 1 to 2 inches of water after planting and whenever the soil becomes dry during the winter. The seedlings should begin to grow in the spring.
- 7
  Provide 1 to 2 inches of water per week during the growing season. A peach tree may require 3 years or more to produce fruit when grown from a seed.

Michigan Pear Varieties

Self-Pollinating Hardy Pear Varieties

Growing Edibles