The Nectarine

~ By Betty G. ~

Contrary to what most people think, the nectarine is not a cross between a peach and a plum. It is actually just a fuzz-less peach.

Planting your tree

Unless your fruit tree has been bought in a container, the best time to plant is somewhere between mid fall and early spring. In colder climes, however, I would definitely wait until spring to do any planting.

Trees that have their initial homes in containers may be planted any time the ground can be dug as long as the soil is neither frozen or too wet and your tree has well-established roots.

On planting day, be sure to dig a hole wide enough for the roots to get breathing room and are able to spread out. Also, the hole must be deep enough so the top roots are covered with 3 to 4 inches of soil. Any good, well-drained soil is suitable.

Caring for your Nectarine

Be sure to water liberally and never let your trees dry out. A good mulch helps enormously both with keeping weeds away and with water retention.

The best time to fertilize is in late winter and in most cases as long as your soil is fertile, I would recommend applying ammonium sulfate each year to young trees that are 3 years of age or less. For older trees, a 10-10-10 mix works very well.

As mentioned earlier, nectarines are actually smooth-skinned peaches and lately they have become more and more popular in the family garden. And, because they are peaches at heart, their care is very much the same as well.

Nectarines do need more frequent watering and a little more fertilizing, as the fruits start to grow.

To assure a fine crop, thinning the newly formed clusters to one fruit each is extremely important. This allows more air and more space for development.

You can tell if your fruit is ready for picking by applying pressure between the stalk and the flesh of the nectarine. It will yield gently if ready.

I am not going into pruning here as I would not know where to start, except to say that I would check with your local nursery on that.

Some of the better known varieties are Fantasia, Flavortop, Harflame, Harblaze, Morton, Merricrest and Redgold. All are equally delicious and each requires the same amount of care .

In closing, I would just like to add that in my eyes, the nectarine is tops and one of my very favorite summer eats.

         

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