Mericrest Nectarine

Wow, finally! A nectarine for northern gardeners, with incredible resistance to cold, surviving even in warmer parts of zone 4. This tree survives temperatures of minus 28, and if planted in a sunny, sheltered spot it should fruit well most years. Excellent also for warmer zones, it has large, delicious fruit that taste like peaches but have a smooth skin that’s easy to eat. The bright yellow flesh that lies beneath that red-flushed skin is delicious to eat fresh, with the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Fruit ripens in August, and is fantastic eaten straight from the tree, and also great for salads, smoothies, pies and jams. A small tree, it doesn’t grow past 15 feet tall and wide, adding several feet a year when young, and has beautiful, large, pink blossoms on the bare branches in spring. A single tree yields a full crop, because it is self-pollinating, so a second tree isn’t needed. For the best results in cold zones we recommend growing it as an espalier on a south-facing wall.

• Slipstone variety with bright yellow flesh beneath smooth skin
• The perfect blend of sweetness, aroma and tang for eating fresh
• Very large pink blossoms on bare branches make a great spring show
• Very cold resistant, growing even in zone 4b
• Self-pollinating, so you don’t need a second variety for a full crop

The Mericrest Nectarine Tree should be planted in full sun, in well-drained soil that isn’t always dry. Grows well in sandy soils enriched with compost, and in acidic soils. Strongly alkaline soils are less suitable. In zones 4 and 5 shelter from cold winds is important, and don’t plant in a low-lying area, where late frosts can damage the blossoms. In cold zones we suggest growing as an espalier against a south-facing wall, where fruit ripens well and it is a little warmer in winter and spring. Although subject to several pests and diseases, these can be controlled sufficiently by using natural methods like Neem Oil, lime-sulfur and winter dormant oil. Prune in early spring, before growth begins. For a free-standing tree, train to a vase shape, with 3 to 5 main branches. Stems from the previous year should be shortened back by a half, to encourage fruiting spurs. Various styles can be used for espalier, with a fan being the easiest. If you have a heavy crop, thin fruits to one per cluster while they are still small.