Veteran Peach

‘Veteran’ is a freestone peach valued for its mid-to-late-season crop and use in home canning. Utah State University lists a chilling requirement of about 900 hours and notes that its hardiness may suit colder sites than the Wasatch Front. [Utah State University Extension](https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/peaches-in-the-garden) provides cultivar-specific information, while [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-persica/common-name/common-peach/) summarizes peach growing needs. ## Growing Choose a sunny, open site with fertile, well-drained soil. Peach trees need winter chill to fruit reliably, and their eventual size depends on rootstock and pruning. Water during dry periods and avoid persistently saturated soil. ## Fruit The firm, freestone fruit is useful for fresh eating and canning. Utah State lists ‘Veteran’ as mid-to-late season; harvest timing shifts with climate and site. ## Maintenance Prune to an open-center framework, remove damaged wood, and thin fruit after set so remaining peaches have room to develop. Monitor for local stone-fruit pests and diseases, and follow regional recommendations for treatment timing.