Are there any peach varieties that can be successfully grown in Iowa?
Are there any peach varieties that can be successfully grown in Iowa?
Peaches are not reliably cold hardy in most parts of Iowa. It is possible to grow ‘Reliance’ (yellow flesh, freestone) and ‘Polly’ (white flesh, clingstone) in the southern one-third of Iowa.
Growing peaches in Iowa is challenging. Cold winter temperatures may destroy the flower buds on peach trees. A late frost or freeze in spring can damage or destroy the flowers. As a result, peach trees often bear few, if any, fruit. Gardeners in southern Iowa can anticipate a good crop about once every 3 or 4 years. Peaches are also short-lived in Iowa, often dying within 8 to 10 years.
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