Description
Novadonna peaches are typically medium to large with a round to slightly flattened shape. They have beautiful golden-yellow skin with a slight red blush on one side. The flesh is firm, juicy, sweet and aromatic with a yellow to orange colour and a non-melting texture. The peaches have a good balance of sweetness and acidity, making them ideal for fresh eating, baking, canning, and preserving.
Novadona are considered semi-dwarf to standard-sized trees, with an average height of 3 to 4.5 meters.
Peach trees are are self-fertile so fruit well from a single tree.
Position
Peach trees require colder climates and do not do well in warm winter climates. The chill hours are calculated under 7°C in winter. If your peach tree does not receive enough chill hours, its flowers may not open, or they may have only a few flowers that open.
Novadonna peach trees require total sun exposure, so select a planting location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
As they spread blight, tomatoes and potatoes should be kept away from peach trees. Also, avoid planting raspberry bushes near peach trees.
Planting chamomile and comfrey adds nutrients to the soil, serving as a natural fertiliser for peach trees.
Size
Novadonna peach trees grow to a height of about four metres with a spread of about four metres.
Soil Type
Loosen the soil in the area before planting about 1.5mts depth in your regular garden soil. Good drainage is essential. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the graft union (the swollen area where the tree is grafted onto the rootstock) is above the soil line. Backfill the hole with soil and tamp it gently to remove air pockets. Peach trees are not fussy about soil type, although they prefer slightly acidic soil. Add one 200-gram Bag of Superfrass added to the soil when planting.
Mulch
Use from 2 to 5 centimetres of pine bark mulch to protect the roots from UV damage and drying out. It retains moisture, and maintains an optimal pH. Do not let the mulch touch the plant stem, as it may cause infection or rot.
Watering
Provide adequate water to your Novadonna peach tree, especially during the first few years of growth. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.
Pruning
Prune peach trees during the dormant season (late winter or early spring) to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Also, thin out crowded branches to improve airflow and sunlight penetration, which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Fertilising
Apply our slow-release Berry/All-plant Fertiliser. For young trees, apply 1 teaspoon every 4-5 months. The roots will absorb what they need.
Alternatively, apply a balanced fertiliser (such as 10-10-10) in early spring before new growth begins. Thereafter fertilise annually in early spring.
Thinning Fruit
Thin fruit in early summer when they are small, to promote larger, healthier fruit and prevent branch breakage due to excessive weight.
Harvesting
Novadonna peaches are ready for harvest in mid to late summer, depending on your specific climate. When gently pressed, the fruit should have a slight give and easily separate from the tree. Harvest the peaches gently to avoid damaging them.
Pest and Disease Management
For good-quality fruit, Peach trees need regular spraying before the onset of fruit and immediately after buds turn to small fruit. Regularly inspect the tree for signs of pests such as aphids, scale insects, fruit fly and peach tree borers.
They can be susceptible to diseases such as peach powdery mildew, leaf curl and brown rot. Use organic products to control as needed and practice good garden hygiene by removing fallen fruit from the soil beneath the tree.
We recommend Effective Microorganisms (EM Control) and organic Neem Oil to prevent and control the spread of these pests and diseases.
EM Control puts you firmly on the green path when using it in your garden. EM is certified organic, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Because EM boosts the soil, your garden will flourish without the use of any chemicals. The soil’s vitality equals the vitality of the plants and fruits they produce. EM is a biocontrol measure, controlling pests by releasing microorganisms into the soil. With EM, pests and pathogens are controlled or suppressed by means of natural processes.
Agricultural Neem Oil is a powerful oil that is kind to your garden, fighting against even the most challenging infestations. Our Neem oil is an agricultural grade and is highly effective in controlling roughly 600 different types of insects! Targeted at insects that suck and chew leaves, it doesn’t extend its damage to the rest of the plant or its surrounds. It is Biodegradable, cold pressed and 100% organic.
