Fruit Production Pointers

My peach trees had a banner year--one of their best during the last 5 years I have grown them. My two trees (one a Hale Haven and another, an Early Elberta) yielded over 150 lbs! Here are some tips on optimizing fruit tree production:
1.  Consider where you plant your trees carefully. Most semi-dwarf trees are about 15 x 15 feet. Allow for mature size and full sun exposure.
2. Try to plant them in a bed rather than lawn. They like to be watered less frequently, but more deeply than turf.
3. Do some research and prune correctly from a young age. Peach trees, in particular, need to be pruned every year.
4. Thin fruit to about every 6 inches for large fruit to form. On a peach tree, this often means thinning over half of the fruit when they are golf-ball size.
5. Spray as needed to keep fruit pest free and to keep the tree pest and disease-free. Organic treatments can be applied, if desired. The USU Extension service has free email alerts that will inform backyard growers about pests and different times to spray. Sign up at www.utahpests.usu.edu.