Looking for Peach Chilling Hours Requirements by Variety! in 2024?  Scroll down this page and  follow the links. And if you bring home some fruit or vegetables and want to can, freeze, make jam, salsa or pickles, see this page for simple, reliable, illustrated canning, freezing or preserving directions. There are plenty of other related resources, click on the resources dropdown above.  If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

If you have questions or feedback, please let me know! There are affiliate links on this page.  Read our disclosure policy to learn more. 

Peach Chilling Hours Requirements by Variety!

Peach Chilling Hours Requirements by Variety

Important if you want to grow your own peaches

Chilling hours are the minimum number of hours that a peach tree needs to get, specifically, nighttime temperatures between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to produce a good crop of peaches.. If the hours are not met (say in a warm winter), the blossoms mostly just fall off the trees and do not set fruit. Of course... temperatures can also be TOO cold!

For other information about many peach varieties (such as ripening date, size, flavor, etc.) see this page.

Peach trees (Values listed are the hours required at or below 45°F.).  The map shows the typical chilling hours by area.  The US map is the same chilling hours map you will see everywhere.  The Florida map is a breakdown for that state.  Why there appears th be a discrepancy within Florida (between the 2 maps) I have never been able to find out.

Peach Varieties for warm climates

For those living in Florida, southern Texas, southern California and other warm areas, the University of Florida tells us that there are several varieties that can produce a crop in those climates. That does not mean they will do well in south Florida; they still need some cold!

• FloridaCrest - 350 chill hours, melting-flesh, semi-clingstone peach for North Florida; .
• FloridaDawn - 350 chill hours melting-flesh, semi-clingstone fruit.for North Florida.
• UFGold - 200 chill hours, ripens about 80 days after blooming. Large, non-melting clingstone fruit.
• UF2000 - 300 chill hours, moderately large size non-melting clingstone peach

Climate change impacts

Climate.gov tells us that winters are warming across the United States, especially in February. Winter is warming at the fastest rate of all the seasons at 2.2°F per century since 1895. So, you might want to choose a peach variety that needs fewer chilling hours than you expect!

 Be sure to see our easy, illustrated how-to pages to make and preserve your own:

1. Peach picking tips
    
2. Now, get ready to preserve your peaches - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
    - peach jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy and our page on
    - how to make home canned peaches from fresh!
   - Or see here to freeze peaches instead!
   - make your own home canned peach pie filling to use in the winter
   - or how about peach salsa?
   - Peach chutney
   - Spiced peaches
   - peach butter
   - pickled peaches?
   -
    
3. Here are some great and easy peach desert recipes, like 
   Peach pie shown at right, below,
   or peach-blueberry pie
   and easy peach cobbler.

Growing Peaches - Peach Guides for Specific States and Regions

• AL - Suggested Peach Varieties for Alabama
• CA - California peach varieties to grow
• GA - Peach Varieties for Georgia;
  Growing peaches in Georgia
• SC - Best peach varieties for South Carolina
  Growing peaches Clemson University peach pages
• NJ - White and Yellow Peach Varieties for New Jersey
• NY - Peach and nectarine varieties for New York State
• OR - Peach and Nectarine Nectarine Varieties for the Willamette Valley (Oregon)
• VA - Peach and Nectarine Varieties for Virginia
• UT - Peaches for Utah

McSunley 21.5 quart Water Bath Canner, Stainless Steel See here for related tools, equipment, supplies on Amazon See here for related tools, equipment, supplies on Amazon See here for related tools, equipment, supplies on Amazon

Home Canning Kits This is the same type of  standard canner that my grandmother used to make everything from peachesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and spaghetti sauce. This complete kit includes everything you need and lasts for years: the canner, jar rack, Jar grabber tongs, lid lifting wand, a plastic funnel, labels, bubble freer, and the bible of canning, the Ball Blue Book. It's much cheaper than buying the items separately. You will never need anything else except jars and lids (and the jars are reusable). To see more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!

Lids, Rings, Jars, mixes, pectin, etc. Need lids, rings and replacement jars?  Or pectin to make jam, spaghetti sauce or salsa mix or pickle mixes?  Get them all here, and usually at lower prices than your local store! Get them all here at the best prices on the internet!