Read this primer on chill hours and why they matter
Check plant tags for information on chill hour requirements before making a purchase.
Fruit trees with low chill hour requirements, such as these La Feliciana peaches, break dormancy and begin flowering sooner.
Fruit trees with high chill hour requirement, such as these Red Haven peaches, stay dormant longer, making them an appropriate choice for north Louisiana. This ensures they do not resume active growth too soon, which could put tender leaves and flowers at risk of frost damage.
Late fall and winter are prime time for planting trees in Louisiana. If you’re interested in adding some fruit trees to your landscape, you should first familiarize yourself with the concept of chilling hours.
“Chilling hours is probably the No. 1 thing you need to look at before deciding which fruit tree you want to plant in your backyard,” said Michael Polozola, LSU AgCenter fruit and nut special…
