Horticultural Alternatives for Texas Agriculture

Peaches

Estimated Cost $3,500 per acre; harvest May to August; 3 years to first economic harvest

Market Outlets Wholesale, roadside, farmers market, pick-your-own

Market Potential Good; room for expansion

Profit Potential $0 to $1,500 per acre

Adapted Areas Central, East and South Texas

Labor Requirements One man per 25 acres; more at harvest

Equipment Requirements Tractor, air blast sprayer, herbicide applicatior, pruning tools

Soil Requirements Sandy loam soil with well-drained clay subsoil

Water Requirements Good quality, 4 gallon-per-minute-per-acre well or other water source

Minimum Size 25 acres - full time; 5 acres- part-time

Risk Factor Moderate to high

Other Limiting Factors Peaches freeze out most years in Panhandle and West Texas areas. Avoid hail belts. No rootstocks are adaped to alkaline soils. Must have well-drained soil. Avoid low ground locations because of water problems and possible spring frosts. Susceptible to oak root rot and cotton root rot.

Additional Information

Comments Peach growing has a high labor requirement during pruning (January to February). Thinning (April) and harvest (May to August). Marketing requires diligent effort and cannot be ignored. Insect and disease control is critical or crop can be unmarketable.

Alternatives Index

Estimated Cost	$3,500 per acre; harvest May to August; 3 years to first economic harvest
Market Outlets	Wholesale, roadside, farmers market, pick-your-own
Market Potential	Good; room for expansion
Profit Potential	$0 to $1,500 per acre
Adapted Areas	Central, East and South Texas
Labor Requirements	One man per 25 acres; more at harvest
Equipment Requirements	Tractor, air blast sprayer, herbicide applicatior, pruning tools
Soil Requirements	Sandy loam soil with well-drained clay subsoil
Water Requirements	Good quality, 4 gallon-per-minute-per-acre well or other water source
Minimum Size	25 acres - full time; 5 acres- part-time
Risk Factor	Moderate to high
Other Limiting Factors	Peaches freeze out most years in Panhandle and West Texas areas. Avoid hail belts. No rootstocks are adaped to alkaline soils. Must have well-drained soil. Avoid low ground locations because of water problems and possible spring frosts. Susceptible to oak root rot and cotton root rot.
Additional Information
Comments	Peach growing has a high labor requirement during pruning (January to February). Thinning (April) and harvest (May to August). Marketing requires diligent effort and cannot be ignored. Insect and disease control is critical or crop can be unmarketable.