I live in western colorado and have a small 40 tree orchard. I have two standard Elberta peach trees that are 16 years old and I am going to pull. I want to replace them with a peach tree that ripens about the same time or a little later, but has good color. The Elberta ripens here about the first week of September.

The soil is alkaline with a layer of clay. The roots of the tree will be beneath the clay layer however in a layer of red sandy soil. Where I live we have a problem with lack of iron in the trees and some have to have iron applied almost every year.

Do you have any suggestions for good varieties of peaches. I planted a Rio Osa last year and was thinking about a Ouachita.

The winter temps here can get down to -15 F the summers over 100.

Thanks

LUNAGODDESS

Talk to the University Of Washington...your neighbor...they have many projects going on check to see if one is something you can place your hands on...here is a website address;www.crfg.org/tidbits/backyardorchard.html ...hope this helps...peach prices are high this season...