Contender Peach

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

12-15 Feet

Mature Spread

12-15 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Summer-sweet peaches without the drama. Contender Peach Tree is a cold-hardy, self-fruitful classic that shrugs off late frosts and still loads up with firm, juicy, freestone fruit. Pink spring blossoms, glossy green foliage, and dependable crops make it an easy win for edible landscapes and small orchards alike.

Expect mid to late summer harvests with yellow flesh and a red-blushed skin that’s perfect for fresh eating, baking, and canning. Its naturally upright, spreading habit stays manageable on semi-dwarf roots, so it fits beautifully in modest yards and large containers.

Contender Peach Tree Care

Plant in full sun for 6 to 8+ hours daily. Provide well-drained soil, pH 6.0 to 7.0; avoid low, wet areas and improve clay with compost and grit for drainage. Water deeply the first two seasons about once per week, then during dry spells (every 7 to 10 days). Mulch 2 to 3 inches deep, keeping mulch a few inches from the trunk. Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fruit-tree fertilizer.

Prune in late winter to an open-center vase shape, removing crossing and inward shoots; thin young fruit to 6 to 8 inches apart for size and branch strength. Self-fruitful; no pollinator needed. Requires roughly 900 to 1,000 chill hours. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8; blossoms are notably frost tolerant, but cover if a hard freeze is forecast.

Contender Peach Tree Spacing

For a specimen, allow 12 to 15 feet of space (10 to 12 feet on dwarf rootstock). In orchard rows, plant 12 to 14 feet on center. Keep 8 to 10 feet from walls, fences, and hardscape.

For containers, choose a dwarf tree and a pot 18 to 24 inches wide with excellent drainage; position 3 to 5 feet from a south or west window on patios, or in the sunniest outdoor spot.

Stake young trees the first season and use branch spreaders to set wide crotch angles for long-term strength.

Why Grow Contender Peach Tree?

• Cold-hardy reliability that handles Zone 4 winters and late frosts

• Self-fruitful freestone peaches for easy harvest and prep

• High flavor with firm, juicy texture ideal for fresh eating, pies, and preserves

• Spring bloom and tidy form add real ornamental value

• Lower maintenance than many peaches when pruned to an open center and thinned properly

Bring home a proven producer and enjoy baskets of homegrown peaches without babying the tree. Plant Contender this season and lock in sweet, dependable harvests for years.