Contender Peach (Prunus persica ‘Contender’)
Contender is an exceptional peach for climates with cool temperatures, high rainfall, and strong frost pressure — making it arguably the best peach for your location. It was developed specifically for cold climates in the United States and is well known for its very late blooming habit, which helps it avoid frost damage during early spring. The fruit is medium-to-large with firm yellow flesh and a rich, sweet flavour that remains consistent even in years with less summer heat. Contender is highly resistant to bacterial spot and shows better tolerance to leaf curl and brown rot than many peaches, an important factor in a humid region like West Gippsland. The tree grows vigorously but maintains a balanced sub-canopy form, fitting neatly beneath larger nut trees or alongside nectarines and plums. Contender prefers a free-draining loam but adapts to biologically improved clay soils when planted slightly high and mulched with woodchip and compost. The edible parts are the sweet, firm fruits used for fresh eating, baking, and long-term preserving. It is fully self-pollinating, requiring no partner. Propagation is most reliably done by grafting onto cold-tolerant or semi-dwarf peach rootstocks, ensuring trueness to type and early productivity, usually within three years of planting. Contender integrates best with support species such as White Clover, Comfrey, Calendula, Chives, Garlic, Sorrel, Yarrow, and Nasturtium, which promote soil structure, discourage fungal pathogens, and attract beneficial pollinators.