Are there any peach varieties that can be successfully grown in Iowa?

Question:

Are there any peach varieties that can be successfully grown in Iowa?

Answer:

Peaches are not reliably cold hardy in many parts of Iowa.  The best peaches to grow in Iowa tend to have slightly later bloom times and more cold hardy flower flowers buds.  Cultivars good for Iowa include

• 'Contender' (yellow flesh, freestone) 
• ‘Reliance’ (yellow flesh, freestone) 
• ‘Polly’ (white flesh, clingstone) 
• 'Redhaven' (yellow flesh, freestone) 
• 'Madison' (yellow flesh, freestone) 

Growing peaches in Iowa is challenging.  Cold winter temperatures may destroy the flower buds on peach trees.  A late frost or freeze in spring can damage or destroy the flowers.  As a result, peach trees often bear few, if any, fruit.  Gardeners in southern Iowa can anticipate a good crop in 2 or 3 of every five years.  In the northern portions of the state expect a harvest about once every 5 years.  Peaches are also short-lived in Iowa, often dying within 10-12 years.