Item Number: FT386
NSJ Old Peach Tree
Juicy heirloom peach, rich in history.
Every rare tree purchase supports historical orchard preservation
Each handpicked tree includes a durable etched metal display tag.
NSJ Old Peach – Prunus persica
Standard on Lovell Rootstock
Historical Significance
This rare heirloom clingstone variety flourishes on a historic homestead in North San Juan, California. The NSJ Old Peach is believed to be a seedling of the legendary Indian Blood Peach—known in France as the Vine Peach or Blood Peach. Its story traces back to 16th-century France, where red-fleshed peaches were planted by vintners at the head of vineyard rows as early indicators of powdery mildew. The variety is thought to have been introduced to the Americas via missionaries traveling through Mexico in the 1500s, where it naturalized and spread among Indigenous communities.
The name “Indian’s Blood Peach” referred to the fruit’s vivid color and widespread Indigenous cultivation—not a racial term. Today, the NSJ Old Peach carries this legacy forward, offering a resilient, richly storied variety ideal for home orchards focused on heritage and low-input growing.
How to Grow
Climate & Location: Best suited for USDA Zones 5–9. It grows best in climates with warm summers and cold winters, as it needs 700-900 chill hours during the winter to break dormancy and ensure proper fruiting. Not prone to peach leaf curl, making it an excellent choice for organic or low-spray cultivation.
Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained loam but adapts to various soil types. Enrich soil with organic matter to encourage root health and productive growth.
Planting: Choose a full-sun location with good air circulation. Plant in early spring or fall while dormant. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and as deep. Ensure the graft union remains above soil level. Mulch well to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watering: Water deeply once or twice weekly during the establishment phase. Mature trees benefit from consistent irrigation during fruit development but tolerate short dry spells once established.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain an open canopy and encourage strong lateral branching. Remove dead or crossing wood and thin interior growth to improve airflow and sunlight penetration.
Fruit Production
Pollination: Self-fertile—no second tree required, though planting another peach nearby may enhance yields. Pollinated by honeybees and native pollinators.
Thinning: Thin clusters after natural fruit drop in spring to improve size and reduce branch strain. Leave 4–6 inches between remaining fruits.
Fertilization: Apply balanced organic fertilizer in early spring before bud break. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage foliage over fruit. Compost applications in fall help maintain soil health and moisture retention.
Harvesting
Fruit ripens in early June. When mature, peaches display dappled deep red skin and white flesh marbled with pink and red near the skin. The texture is melting and soft, with a floral aroma and intensely juicy bite. Clingstone pit.
Harvest gently when the fruit softens slightly and lifts easily from the branch. Best enjoyed fresh, right off the tree. Refrigerate ripe fruit to extend shelf life by a few days. Ideal for snacking, fresh desserts, or preserving color-rich jams.
Conclusion
The NSJ Old Peach is more than a delicious fruit—it’s a living artifact of orchard history. Likely introduced by Felix Gillet and deeply rooted in centuries-old agricultural practice, this variety represents both flavor and legacy. With its resilience, flavor, and ornamental appeal, it’s a must-have for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, high-reward heirlooms with a story to tell.
Explore our full collection of peach trees.
Learn more about peach tree care in our Peach Tree Growing Guide.
To learn more about these historical trees, visit the Felix Gillet Institute.
Watch related videos and explore helpful tips in the media section below.
Check Your Zone Compatibility:
Our Guarantee To You
Since 1976, we've served our customers at every stage of growing. Please contact us at any time. We are happy to support and assist you.
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Cannot ship to the following states: HI, AK, PR, GU, VI
Shipping Weight: 5.0 lb
Dimensions: 47.5"L x 2.75"W x 7.3"H
Features
Features
- Bare Root
- Clingstone
- Flavor Pick
- Self-fruitful
- Suited to Cold Climates
Characteristics
Characteristics
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
Useful Information
Useful Information
Guarantee
Guarantee
Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee
* Claim deadline is June 15th
We guarantee that your dormant tree or plant will arrive in good, viable condition. If your tree arrives in substandard condition, notify us within 3 days of delivery. Please email pictures of the box, inside packaging, the tree and its roots to helpdesk@groworganic.com. We will investigate your claim and process a request to exchange or refund the damaged product.
If your dormant tree or plant has not grown new leaves by June 15th, you may be eligible for our Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee. This guarantee provides for a store credit for the purchase price of the tree, excluding shipping. Please see the Instructions below.
Important Dates:
- April 1st Dormant trees/plants must be planted in the ground
- May 15th Perform scratch test, if no new leaves have grown
- June 15th Deadline to apply for a dormant tree/plant credit
All required documentation must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. Claims or documentation received after June 15th will be denied, without exception. Instructions listed below
Terms and Conditions
We cannot guarantee that your tree or plant will remain alive and healthy after it is received, or bear fruit as there are too many variables in your environment that are beyond our control (i.e. soil preparation, weed and pest control, proper irrigation, chill hours, compatible hardiness for your growing zone, proper choice of pollinator, extreme weather, rodent damage, disease, etc.).
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide a replacement tree/plant of the same species either that same growing season or in future years. Customers are responsible for all shipping fees associated with replacement trees and plants.
If we determine that the tree you purchased directly from us is not viable, we will issue you a store credit (not a refund) for the purchase price of the affected dormant tree or plant. Shipping is not included in the dormant tree/plant guarantee. Store credits can be used to purchase any product we sell and are valid for use only until July 1st of the following year.
Historically, 98% of our dormant trees and plants grow and thrive when they have been cared for and planted using our growing guides. Dormant trees and plants must be planted in the ground by April 1st in order to be eligible for credit. If the ground in your area is still frozen solid, you may temporarily plant your tree or plant in a pot.
Potted, non-dormant trees or plants are excluded from this guarantee as they are not dormant at the time of shipment. Evergreen trees such as citrus, avocado and olive trees are not available for credit under the Dormant Tree and Plant Guarantee.
Instructions
We guarantee that your dormant fruit tree or plant will leaf out, if you care for it according to our growing guides. In the unlikely event that your dormant tree or plant does not have leaves by May 15th, follow these simple steps to apply for a store credit:
Before you call or email, please perform a “scratch test” to determine if the tree or plant is still alive. This video shows how to check for live tissue under the bark. Scratch tests need to be done a few inches above and below the graft.
Green Cambium Layer / Living Trees
If the cambium layer under the bark is green, give your tree a little more time. It is still alive, but hasn’t come out of dormancy yet. Check to make sure that it is getting the right amount of deep root water, enough sunlight and that the weather is warm enough for that type of tree/plant to come out of dormancy. Every tree has its own personality and will come out of dormancy at different times. Be sure to submit the required documentation listed below by June 15th, if it doesn’t grow leaves.
Brown Cambium Layer / Dead Trees
If the scratch test shows a brown cambium layer or if your dormant tree/plant doesn’t have leaves by June 1st, please email us at helpdesk@groworganic.com. All required documentation listed below must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. To be considered for the guarantee claim, all required documentation must be received by June 15th. Incomplete submissions will be denied.
Required Documentation
- Order number
- Name of dormant tree/plant and the quantity affected
- Photos of each tree or plant showing:
- The roots (tree or plant must be pulled out of the ground)
- The scratch test areas
- The entire tree/plant
We reserve the right to not issue credit for items that have already been replaced. We also reserve the right to require photographic evidence that the tree/plant was not killed by root rot, rodent or mechanical damage.
