Peach, Harvester, Bare Root

Peach, Harvester (Prunus persica 'Harvester')

Harvester Peach is a reliable, early-to-midseason freestone peach known for its sweet, juicy fruit, high disease resistance, and excellent performance in hot, humid southern climates. Developed in Georgia, Harvester thrives in the Southeast and produces flavorful peaches ideal for fresh eating, baking, canning, or freezing. A consistent producer even with minimal spraying, Harvester is a top choice for home orchards, permaculture designs, and regenerative fruit systems in Zones 6-9.

Key Characteristics

• Sweet, Juicy Freestone Fruit
  Harvester produces medium-sized peaches with red-blushed skin and golden-yellow flesh that's juicy, sweet, and low-acid, perfect for eating fresh or using in cobblers, pies, and preserves. The freestone nature of the fruit makes it easy to process in the kitchen.
• Early Ripening & High Productivity
  Fruit ripens in June to early July, extending the peach season early into summer. Harvester is a heavy and reliable producer, even in challenging climates, and is especially valued in the South for its consistent yields and early harvest window.
• Disease Resistant and Low Maintenance
  Harvester shows good resistance to common peach diseases like bacterial spot and brown rot, reducing the need for heavy spraying. It performs well in low-spray or organic orchard systems when given proper pruning and airflow.
• Self-Fertile but Benefits from Companions
  Harvester is self-pollinating, meaning you don't need a second peach tree for fruit. However, yields may improve when planted with other peach varieties, and having pollinator plants nearby enhances fruit set.
• Excellent for Home Orchards and Food Forests
  With its manageable size, disease resistance, and high productivity, Harvester fits perfectly into backyard orchards, fruit tree guilds, and permaculture landscapes. Its early bloom also supports native bees and early pollinators.

Product Details

• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Medium
• Mature Height: 12-15 feet (depending on rootstock and pruning)
• Bloom Time: March
• Bloom Color: Pink
• Fruit Qualities: Medium size, yellow flesh, sweet, juicy, freestone
• Fruit Uses: Fresh eating, baking, canning, freezing
• Fruit Ripening Month: June early July
• Required Chill Hours: ~750
• Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9

Harvester is a Southern staple early, dependable, and delicious. With juicy freestone fruit and low maintenance needs, it's a go-to peach for regenerative home orchards and warm-climate food forests.