Species guide
Nectarines
10 nectarine varieties with cited chill-hour, zone, and pollination data. Most are self-fertile.
Variety catalog
- Arctic Star~300 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Double Delight~300 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Fantasia~500 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 4–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- Flavortop~650 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Harko~800 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Independence~700 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Mericrest~800 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Panamint~250 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Redgoldchill —zones —self-fertile
- Snow Queen250–300 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
(est.) marks our clearly-labeled estimate where no source publishes a figure (hover for the basis); dashed badges cite nursery catalogs rather than extension sources; “—” means nobody publishes that figure for the variety.
Growing nectarines: the basics
Nectarines are simply fuzzless peaches — their culture is the same, and like peaches they set fruit on their own, so a single tree in a warm, sunny, well-drained spot can crop well.
Sun & site
Give nectarines abundant sunlight — a spot that gets sun most or all of the day. Early-morning sun matters because it dries the foliage quickly, which helps limit disease. Avoid steep or eroded slopes and low pockets with poor air circulation and drainage, where cold air can settle during bloom.
Soil
Plant in deep, well-drained soil — a texture from sandy loam to sandy clay loam is ideal. Nectarines are extremely sensitive to waterlogged ground, and roots die where drainage is poor, which stunts and eventually kills the tree. Aim for a soil pH near 6.5, adjusting ahead of planting rather than after the tree is in the ground.
Spacing
Nectarine flowers are self-fertile, so you only need one variety to get a crop — no separate pollination partner is required. Give each tree enough room for light and air to reach the whole canopy; space trees according to their mature size so branches aren't crowded.
Watering & first years
After planting, thoroughly soak the soil around the root zone to bring it into close contact with the roots and eliminate air pockets. Keep a weed-free area of a few feet around the trunk so the young tree isn't competing for water, and mulch to conserve moisture. Water deeply during dry spells while the tree establishes.
Planting
Set dormant one-year-old trees while they are fully dormant — from early winter to early spring — planting as early as conditions allow so roots establish before spring growth. Dig the hole large enough that roots aren't bent or cramped, and set the tree at the same depth it grew in the nursery, with the uppermost root only an inch or two below the surface.
Where this guide comes from
This growing guide is drawn from the university-extension sources below.
- Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center. Peaches & Nectarines — accessed July 2026
- University of Illinois Extension. Nectarines — Fruit Trees for Home Gardens — accessed July 2026
Plan the year
Month-by-month nectarine care, anchored to each zone’s typical frost dates: