{"product_id":"contender-peach","title":"Contender Peach Tree","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA freestone peach bred to set a reliable crop where late frosts and bitter winters wipe out lesser varieties.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Contender Peach is the peach tree for gardeners who've been told their climate is too cold for peaches. Developed by North Carolina State University specifically for the upper end of peach country, it produces medium-to-large, richly flavored yellow-fleshed fruit with a balanced sweet-tart juiciness that tastes like August in every bite. Because it's a freestone, the flesh pulls cleanly away from the pit — perfect for slicing fresh, canning, freezing, or baking into a cobbler that'll make your neighbors knock on your door.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat I love about it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat sets the Contender apart is its late bloom time — its spring flowers open just a touch later than most peaches, giving the crop a fighting chance against damaging late frosts. Even in Zone 5, it comes back strong and delivers a heavy, consistent August harvest year after year. It's self-fertile (no second tree needed), vigorous, and productive from a young age. At 12–15 feet it fits a sunny backyard corner beautifully — stunning in spring bloom, loaded with fruit by late summer. This is the peach tree that actually performs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePlant Care Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e☀️ \u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun — 6–8 hours daily; essential for fruit production\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e💧 \u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep watering weekly; increase during fruit development in summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌡️ \u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy to -20°F; late bloom helps dodge spring frosts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🪴 \u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to moderate — annual pruning keeps it productive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🐾 \u003cstrong\u003ePet Safety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peach pits, leaves, and bark are toxic to dogs and cats; fruit flesh is safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✂️ \u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune to an open-center shape in late winter for best airflow and yields\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePlant Specs\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12–15 ft tall and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to fast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freestone, yellow flesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late July – August\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-Fertile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — one tree produces fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Zone:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBloom bold. Be cheeky.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Live Good Logistics","offers":[{"title":"4-5 ft. \/ Single","offer_id":50051153199352,"sku":"EDB-PEA-CON-45-5G","price":129.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"4-5 ft. \/ Pollination Pack (Elberta \u0026 Contender Peach)","offer_id":50051153232120,"sku":"EDB-PEA-CON-45-5G-ELBPACK","price":229.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"6-7 ft. \/ Single Contender Peach","offer_id":50051153264888,"sku":"EDB-PEA-CON-67-5G","price":149.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"6-7 ft. \/ Pollination Pack (Elberta \u0026 Contender Peach)","offer_id":50051153297656,"sku":"EDB-PEA-CON-67-5G-ELBPACK","price":249.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/0969\/0104\/files\/Contender_Peach_Tree_Close.jpg?v=1784840649","url":"https:\/\/cheekygarden.com\/products\/contender-peach","provider":"Cheeky Garden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}