Plump, juicy peaches are a summertime favorite, and growing your own makes eating them all the more rewarding. But what do you do if you notice your peaches falling off your tree? Before you panic and give up on your green thumb, you can do a few things to diagnose and address the issue.
If you find yourself asking, “Why are peaches falling off my tree?” keep reading.
Finding the Culprit
Diagnosing plants is never easy. How do you determine what might be ailing your beloved tree? Often, all it takes is a little investigation.
The Fruit Is Ripe
Different climates worldwide, known as zones, can affect when fruit reaches peak edibility. In some warmer climates where plants start blooming sooner in the year, fruits can ripen earlier than you might expect. It can be alarming to need to research “why are peaches falling off my tree?” In cases like these, however, you can rest assured that the fruit dropping is normal.
Peaches tend to be ripest in mid to late summer but can fully mature as early as June. If you live in a warmer climate, it could be that your peaches are ripe and ready to fall. If this is the case, take advantage of your early harvest and get picking.
Late Frost
A late frost or unusually cold day will affect many plants. In some cases, plants that are not winter-hardy will die. Mature, established plants such as trees sometimes don’t bloom or drop nonessential leaves, branches, and fruit to protect the rest of the plant.
If you live in an area prone to late-season frost, there are several varieties of plant covers that can protect your peach tree.
Storms and Wind
Ideal weather conditions greatly influence how well your peach tree produces throughout the season. Late frosts are not the only environmental hazard to plant health. A bad storm or high winds can also knock the peaches off their branches.
You can use the same tree cover as you would for a late frost to protect them. This measure won’t guarantee protection from damage, but it can prevent a direct hit to the fruit.
Insufficient Water
All plants need water to thrive, although most will attempt to make do with as little as possible. If your peach tree isn’t an area that isn’t getting enough water, its leaves will wilt and it will elect not to produce fruit rather than die off. Peaches are loaded with water, so the tree won’t put energy into producing them without water to support it.
It’s paramount to water your peach tree regularly, especially if you live in a dry zone. Young peach trees need to be watered up to three times a week. If your peach tree is mature and well established, you can water it whenever the soil becomes dry.
Pests
Birds, squirrels, and even raccoons will steal delicious, fresh fruit. If you notice your fruit has gone missing, but it isn’t lying on the ground, there’s a good chance that the wildlife is picking it up.
There are tree guards and deterrents to keep hungry critters at bay. Keep an eye on the tree and try to figure out which unwelcome visitor is pilfering your fruit. Then, you can select the correct barrier for the situation.
So, Why Are Peaches Falling Off My Tree?
Most of the time, amateur gardeners who grow peaches can determine why peaches are falling off a tree. But if you feel unsure, you can contact a professional arborist to help you fix the problem. The sooner you address the issue, the sooner you can return to picking that sweet fruit.