I learned at a young age that the best peaches in the world are grown in Palisade. Every August our family hit the road to continue our exploration of the West. Every time we’d pass through Palisade, we would load the car with bushels of fresh peaches.
After a brief hiatus, Palisade is bringing back an old tradition by hosting the 56th Annual Peach Festival at Riverbend Park. The festival kicks off 10 days of fun with an ice cream social and street dance August 6. Peach themed activities include a parade, 5k fun run, and orchard tours. The celebration culminates August 16–17 with live music, historical talks, vendors, live chef demos, and assorted family activities.
Second only to peaches from Palisade, were peaches from my grandmother’s trees in Denver. I don’t know what varieties she grew (though I suspect they included Elberta seedlings from Palisade) or when they were planted, but the trees were big enough to climb and they bore abundant fruit. Other varieties recommended for Colorado include Haven, Polly, Reliance, Hale Haven, and Ranger. Today, most peach varieties are self-pollinating, but planting a different variety within 100 feet can improve the fruit set.
Although the Western Slope’s climate may be more amenable to growing peaches, growers across the state can claim success. Their biggest challenges include spring snowstorms (which always seem to happen when trees are loaded with blossoms), summer hailstorms (which seem to happen when trees are loaded with fruit), and strong winds. Solutions include planting trees in sunny, but sheltered, areas with well-drained, nitrogen-rich soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Make sure to watch for pests and prune regularly to encourage larger, sweeter fruit.
Peach trees are relatively easy to maintain. You can plant them any time, although fall plantings are most successful. As trees enter dormancy, they focus energy on roots rather than foliage and fruit, which allows them to overcome transplant shock.
The sun is intense during Colorado’s dry winters. Wrapping newly planted tree trunks protects bark from burning and splitting. Prevent roots from freeze-drying with one to two monthly waterings.
Pruning provides adequate sunlight, air circulation, and a stable structure to prevent branches from breaking under the heavy load of ripened fruit. Trees need energy to produce fruit, so apply a root stimulator the first two years, then switch to regular low-nitrogen fertilizer.
It’s especially important to watch for pests the first few years. Borers usually attack recent transplants and trees weakened by drought, injury, or poor soil and root systems. Immature borer larvae chew beneath bark of the lower trunk and roots. Their presence is revealed mid- to latespring by wet spots or sap oozing out of the bark. You can apply insecticides, such as permethrin, to the lower trunk when eggs are being laid. Pesticides should not be applied fewer than 20 days before harvest.
Good tree management is the best way to prevent pests. With good care, you’ll find the only thing better than a Palisade peach is one you pluck from a tree growing in your yard.
Master gardener Vicki Spencer has an eclectic background in conservation, water, natural resources, and more.