Question
Last summer I purchased a $10.00 bargin (Home Depot) peach tree.  I live in the Minneapolis, MN area.  The tag said it was: Western Pride Semi Dwarf, okay for our zone.  Well....it sure was!!!! It made it through the winter and this first year produced 4 DELECTABLE, FANTASTIC, peaches.  I want to maximize its potential for next year.  How should I best take care if it?  Winterize, fertilize, fall care, spring care?  Also is there a way to propagate this tree from the peach pit?  Please Help this peach was close to heaven.

Answer
Hi,
Thanx for your question.  Here is a link from the University of Minnesota.  The culture for stone fruit applies to your peach.  http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1125.html

You can try to grow some trees from the peach pit but they won't be the same as the fruit you have now because your tree is a hybrid growing on a hardy rootstock.  Hybrid plants seldom come true from seed.  You could graft cuttings from your tree onto hardy rootstock but that is not in my expertise.  Here is some info on grafting from the University of Minnesota.  http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG0532.html  If you would still like to try growing the peach pit you can remove the seed from the pit by cracking the pit open, carefully.  Plant the seed about 1 inch deep in a pot of good potting soil, moist but not soggy.  Leave the pot outdoors for the winter or seal the pot inside a plastic baggie and store in the fridge for 90 days.  Most stone fruit seeds require an extended cold period in order to break dormancy and germinate once temperatures have warmed up.  If you keep the pot outdoors for the winter, make sure it is watered regularly.  The seed should germinate in the spring.  If doing it in the fridge, remove the pot after 90 days and place in a warm room.  Germination should take place in a couple of weeks.  The seedling should be put outdoors in a place that is protected form wind, direct sunlight, rain, hail, etc. for 10 days and then it can be planted in a spot where it will get direct sunlight.  This should be done of course, after your last frost.  I hope this helps.
Tom