To plant a peach seed, follow these key steps:
- Extract the seed: Remove the pit from a peach, dry it for several days, then crack it open with a nutcracker or hammer to get the seed inside.
- Stratify the seed: Place the seed in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel or moist potting soil and refrigerate it for 8 to 12 weeks to simulate winter cold. Keep it moist but not soggy.
- Germinate: After stratification, soak the seed overnight and then plant it about 1 inch deep in well-draining potting soil in a pot. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a sunny location.
- Transplant: When the seedling has grown about 12 to 18 inches tall and after the last frost, harden off the seedling by gradually exposing it to outdoor conditions, then plant it in full sun in soil enriched with organic matter and good drainage.
This process can take several weeks to months for germination, and it may take a few years before the tree produces fruit. Patience and careful care are important throughout.
