CropsNectarine › Sunred

Sunred
Nectarine in the US

Sunred is known for its early ripening, meaning you get to enjoy fresh nectarines sooner in the season. It’s a good choice if you're impatient like me and want an early crop.

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Sow Plant out Harvest

Sow window for Nectarine generally, zone 6.

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How to grow it

Nectarines are usually grown from the stone, which you'll need to stratify first – that just means giving them a cold period, like in your fridge for a few months, before you plant them out. Sow them about an inch (2.5 cm) deep in a pot, indoors is best to get them started. The timing really depends on your USDA zone, you know what I mean. For zones 3 and 4, April or May is a good bet. Zone 5 can start March through May. Warmer zones like 6 and 7, you're looking at March, April, or even October, November. Zone 8 adds February, and zones 9 and 10 can start earlier in winter, January or February, or later in the fall. Keep the soil warm, around 65-70°F (18-21°C) to get them going.

Once your little nectarine seedlings are big enough to handle, like, a few inches tall, you can pot them up into individual containers. These trees take a good while to get going, about two years to harvest from seed. When the risk of your last frost is well past, and they're a good size, harden them off properly before planting them out in their final spot. Choose a sunny, sheltered place on your plot, giving them plenty of room, maybe 10-20 feet (3-6 meters) apart depending on the variety and how you plan to prune them. Some folks grow dwarf varieties in large containers too, which is a good option if space is tight.

Full Nectarine guide →

More Nectarine varieties

Track your Nectarine from packet to plate

Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.

Tony C Smith
Tony C Smith

Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.