Contender Peach Tree ( Prunus persica ‘Contender’)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
• Requires good air circulation and protection from late frosts

Bloom Time:

• Mid to late spring
• Fruit ripens in late summer (typically August)

Size:

Height: 12 to 15 feet

Width: 12 to 15 feet

Attributes:

• Medium to large, freestone peaches with yellow flesh and red-blushed skin
• Sweet, juicy flavor with non-browning flesh
• Self-pollinating (yields improve with a nearby pollinator)
• Cold-hardy to USDA Zone 4
• Resistant to bacterial leaf spot and brown rot
• Beautiful pink blossoms in spring
• Requires approximately 1,000 chill hours

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-drained, loamy soil; avoid heavy clay or overly sandy soils
• Water deeply every 7–10 days during dry periods
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Fertilize in early spring once the tree begins bearing fruit
• Prune in late winter while dormant; remove suckers in summer if needed
• Thin fruit in early summer to improve size and prevent limb stress

Pest Watch:

• Monitor for peach tree borers, aphids, mites, and peach leaf curl
• Use dormant oil spray in late winter to reduce pest pressure
• Netting may be needed to protect ripening fruit from birds