Peaches can be grown from stones - so fun to grow your own tree, but other advantages abound. Seedling peach trees are more robust and disease resistant, especially if you choose a stone from a locally grown peach tree that is hardy and vigorous. Worthwhile also if you want to grow Grandma's favourite peach, or reproduce your favourite one, or just have a play. Apricots are worth a go as well.

This is an awesome thing to do in schools. Choose a peach that's ripe in term time, hardy and leaf curl free. Such a treat for kids to pick fresh, organic peaches - especially if they've grown them themselves.

Two ways

1. The simplest is a la mother nature - plant stones direct in the ground at harvest time. It's a good idea to mark the spot. I know people who always have self-seeded peach trees at their place. I do not. Too cold? Too wet? Instead I pop my seeds up a la number 2.
2. Crack the stones open and pot up the kernel. From this method I get about a 1 in 3 strike rate. Here's how:

• Eat a lot of peaches and save the stones. Leave them to dry out because they're easier to crack.
• Using a hammer and a gentle hand, lay the stone on it's side and tap along the join until it cracks apart. Inside is the kernel (looks like an almond).

• Pot into a small pot using free draining potting mix, sprinkle with leaf mold or woodchip.
• Leave the pots on the soil, outside to give them a cold winter. Just so long as they don't get sodden, or eaten by rats.

In a few months they'll start to shoot. When the roots start to appear out the bottom, move into a slightly taller pot. If the seedling tree is nice and robust (30cm-ish), plant it out the following winter.