Peaches Crop Guide

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 PotentialGood; room for expansion
Profit Potential$0 to $1,500 per acre
Adapted AreasCentral, East and South Texas
Labor RequirementsOne man per 25 acres; more at harvest
Equipment RequirementsTractor, air blast sprayer, herbicide applicatior, pruning tools
Soil RequirementsSandy loam soil with well-drained clay subsoil
Water RequirementsGood quality, 4 gallon-per-minute-per-acre well or other water source
Minimum Size25 acres - full time; 5 acres- part-time
Risk FactorModerate to high
Other Limiting FactorsPeaches 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.
CommentsPeach 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.