When to Plant Peach in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Plant June to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is June.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Peach guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Peach

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Delicious but high-maintenance deciduous fruit tree requiring specific chill hours, annual pruning, and pest/disease management. Trees are relatively short-lived (15-25 years) compared to apples or pears. Freestone varieties (flesh separates from pit) for eating, clingstone for preserving. Low-chill varieties make peach growing possible in subtropical zones. Self-fertile. Single tree produces fruit. Grafted on peach or plum rootstock.

Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - P P P - - - -

P = Planting window

Plant bare root June-August.

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How to Grow Peach in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Plant bare root June-August.

Soil
Deep, well-drained, slightly acidic. Peaches are more sensitive to waterlogging than apples. Sandy loam ideal.
pH Range
6.0-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours. Good air circulation essential for disease management.

Companion plants: Nasturtium, Comfrey, Garlic (pest deterrent, unproven but traditional)

Avoid planting near: Grass right to trunk, Previous stone fruit planting site (disease buildup)

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Peach

Recommended Varieties

  • Golden Queen
  • O'Henry
  • Elberta
  • Red Haven
  • Flavorcrest

Key Challenges

  • Leaf curl (wet springs)
  • Brown rot
  • Late frost on blossoms

Pro Tips

  • Good peach zone with adequate chill. Melbourne outer east and Goulburn Valley are proven areas.
  • Copper spray program is critical in Melbourne's wet springs.
  • Full range of varieties available.

Harvesting Peach

When ready: Background colour changes from green to yellow/cream. Fruit gives slightly when gently pressed near stem. Aroma develops. Freestone types: flesh separates cleanly from pit.

How to harvest: Cup fruit in hand and twist gently. Ripe fruit detaches easily. Handle gently, peaches bruise instantly.

Where to next

What peach costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

The pest most likely to find your peach: Possums (Common Brushtail, Ringtail).

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Common Questions About Peach

When do you plant peach in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.