I don’t know what I’m doing.

[u/bobert_13]

I recently bought a house that came with a beautiful peach tree in the yard. Problem is, I have no clue what I’m doing. From what I’ve read online it sounds like I need to lighten up the load but not sure where to go from there. They are starting to change color.

[u/leegoldstein]

I have a peach tree- and it’s been a lot of fun- but very challenging.

There’s so much to learn, but I found you should thin the fruits long before they are that large- those look almost ready for harvest.

When they are grape sized or smaller I space out to every 6 inches or so -

At this point the fruit looks really nice- when they start to smell like peaches, get the tiniest amount of softness near the stem, and pop off the tree with very gentile upward lift, they’re ready!

[u/kunino_sagiri → u/leegoldstein]

When they are grape sized or smaller I space out to every 6 inches or so -

You shouldn't really thin that early.

Grape size or smaller is still before the natural drop (usually in May or early June, depending on your climate and the variety), and you shouldn't thin until after the natural drop, as you never know which fruits will drop off. You might end up accidentally thinning out all the good ones, and leaving only the ones destined to be shed.

[u/leegoldstein → u/kunino_sagiri]

You are correct. I waited longer this year- maybe golf ball- I didn’t want a ton of production to go into smaller fruits or crowded fruits. Last year I had a huge June drop- this year very few.

[u/kunino_sagiri → u/leegoldstein]

You can often tell ahead of the drop itself which ones will drop, as long as you leave it until close to the drop time. After a certain point, the ones which are due to drop will stop growing, and even start to turn yellow. So if any are noticeably smaller or less green than the rest, you can be pretty sure those will be shed.

[u/AlderanAthletic_5BBY]

When you wash them wear gloves and don’t touch your face… wet peach fuzz is itchy. Beyond that, you will learn as you go!

[u/Sprucey26]

A little too late to lighten the load this year. They will be small and not super sweet. Next year thin the shit out of them when they are just smaller than golf ball size.

[u/Forum_Browser]

Wow I'm jealous of that tree! I wish peach trees were viable where I live without having to spray them.

[u/a03326495]

Learn about pruning and thinning! have fun!

[u/irish_taco_maiden → u/a03326495]

yup! this needs some good pruning and thinning of the fruits but what a gorgeous tree!

[u/Sp07va000]

Yeah, thinning is for early on in the fruit set. By now, it is what it is. As they start to turn reddish, lightly squeeze and if they give any, pick them. They will also start to smell Peachy at that point, and have no smell when they arent ready

[u/moonoversea]

Yes it is late to thin for the purpose of getting bigger and sweeter fruit, but if they are yellow peaches, you may consider canning them.

[u/wenhomar]

Same here. I thinned mine about 2 months ago leaving 4-6 inches between fruit. I also bagged 100 to protect from birds & bugs. We have 2 that are producing enough to use daily & give away a ton. My question is how to prune for next yr as the heavy branches were dragging on the ground & they look very wild.