Contender Peach (Prunus persica 'Contender')
Prunus persica 'Contender', "Contender-" by Jackson's Orchard is marked with CC BY 2.0
Soil type: well drained, moist, average sand to loam, pH 6.0-8.0
Soil moisture: medium, water daily for 3-5 weeks, then 2-3x/week in first year
Sun: full sun
Height/Spread: 8'-15' talll x 8'-15' wide, as with all peaches, does best with aggressive pruning
Bloom: early May
Ripens: August
Years to Bear: 2-4 years post-transplant, annual bearing
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
Uses: fresh eating, freezing, canning
Fruit: free-stone, small-pit, large to medium sized, exceptional flavor, firm, sweet, juicy, flesh resists browning after cutting, keeps well 1-3 days post pick
Tree Disease Resistance: moderate resistance to bacterial spot, susceptible to peach-leaf curl
Root Stock and Disease Resistance: Bailey slightly-dwarfing root stock, very reliable, cold hardy, uniform tree development, reliable yields, high survival
Noteworthy: Contender has a reputation for reliability and rates highly for ease of care, yield and flavor. This fast growing, very cold hardy and late blooming peach is an ideal choice for Michigan growers where late spring frosts kill peach blooms. Contender was the winner of the 2014 American Society for Horticultural Science "Outstanding Fruit Cultivar" award.
Pollinizer: self-fertile, does not require another variety to pollinize, however peaches generally bear heavier with another variety in the orchard.
$55 (SOLD OUT, MORE EXPECTED 2023)