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Growing Low-Chill Peaches and Nectarines in the San Lorenzo Valley
The San Lorenzo Valley flips the usual coastal peach problem on its head. Up in the redwood canyons and on the valley ridges, you actually bank more winter chill than the warm Banana Belt or the foggy coast, which opens up more peach varieties. But the valley trades that gift for
Growing Low-Chill Peaches and Nectarines in the Santa Cruz Coastal Fog Belt
Growing a peach in the coastal fog belt of Santa Cruz County is the hardest version of this crop in the county, and it pays to be honest about why before you dig a hole. Two problems stack up here: low winter chill and a fungus that loves your weather. Get ahead of both and you c
Growing Low-Chill Peaches and Nectarines in the Santa Cruz Banana Belt
The Banana Belt is the best place in Santa Cruz County to try a low-chill peach, but better is not the same as easy. The warm thermal slopes above the fog give you the heat a peach craves to ripen sweet fruit, and the drier, sunnier air eases disease pressure compared with the co