Position – Full sunlight helps to prevent the tree from contracting diseases. The sunshine also helps with producing sweet, delicious fruits. Give it about 6 metres’ space to allow it to grow without being hindered. Use companion plants like legumes because these attract the right pollinators and help to keep the soil fertile.
Size – This tree reaches a mature height of between 2 and 5 metres and its canopy has a width of 2.5 to 3.5 metres.
Soil Type – Soils that are well-draining, but still manage to retain some moisture are best for nectarine trees. The only soils that do not work well are very dense or heavy ones. A slightly acidic pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 is best for fruit trees.
Mulch – Cover the ground around your tree (but not right up against the truck) with wood chips or sawdust to prevent too much moisture from evaporating and to keep the soil moist. You may also want to protect young trees with a wire cage with very small holes, which will keep little animals away. Insects that bore into the trunk are the biggest threat to this plant.
Watering – Water your nectarine tree once every 10 to 14 days, enough to soak the ground around it. Be careful not to overwater it, though. Even if the grass around it is brown and dry, the nectarine tree can thrive on this amount of watering.
Fertilising – Well-rotted organic material and a balanced fertiliser should be applied liberally around your tree in the spring.
Pruning – Although most fruit trees are pruned in the dormant winter months, nectarine trees should be pruned late in the early part of spring to allow buds and flowers to survive.
Harvesting – Pluck your scrumptious, sweet fruit when the skin is the right orange-red colour and the flesh is soft close to the stalk.
