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Peach variety

Elberta

The short answer

Elberta requires 750–900 chill hours[1]. It is self-fertile[2].

Growing facts

Elberta growing facts
Chill requirement750–900 chill hours[1]
HardinessNot published for this variety
PollinationSelf-fertile[2]
Harvest windowJuly–August[1]
Years to bearing3 years (typical for peaches)[3]
USDA pomological watercolor of Elberta peach
Prunus persica: ElbertaUSDA pomological watercolor, Royal Charles Steadman, 1926 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[4]

Notes

  • Classic yellow, melting-flesh freestone; ripens mid-July in the Southeast and late July/early August in Central California.[1]
  • Susceptible to bacterial spot.[5]
  • Peach leaf curl (Taphrina deformans) affects peaches and nectarines; most cultivars lack resistance and a dormant fungicide spray provides control.[6]
  • Brown rot is the most damaging stone-fruit disease and can destroy a ripening crop on unsprayed trees.[1]
  • Self-fruitful.[2]

A year with your Elberta

When the work happens for a peach in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Peach in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune——————————
Thin———————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month peach calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow Elberta where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing an Elberta? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Elberta need?
Elberta needs 750–900 chill hours.
Is Elberta self-pollinating?
Elberta is self-fertile, though a pollination partner can improve cropping.

Sources

  1. [1] University of Georgia Extension (CAES). Home Garden Peaches (Circular 1063) — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Dave Wilson Nursery. Peaches — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Growing Fruit Trees in Maine — Lack of Fruitfulness — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] USDA National Agricultural Library. USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (Rare and Special Collections, 1886-1942) — accessed July 2026
  5. [5] Michigan State University Extension. Management of bacterial spot on peaches and nectarines — accessed July 2026
  6. [6] University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Peach Leaf Curl (Bulletin 5098e) — accessed July 2026