How to grow apricots

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Apricot growing basics

Apricots can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. They grow best in dry climates with cold winters, warm springs, and no wide springtime temperature fluctuations. Apricot trees bloom quite early in the spring, and the blossoms can be damaged by a late spring frost, leading to little/no harvest in poor growing years.

Most apricot varieties are self-fruitful, so you typically need only one tree to get fruit. A mature apricot tree in good health is typically about 12-15 feet tall and wide and will yield 100-150 pounds of fruit per tree each harvest season.

Plant your apricot tree where it receives ample sunlight. In terms of soil, these fruit trees prefer soil that drains out excess water easily (typically a sandy loam if possible). As for pH, a neutral or even slightly alkaline pH is ideal but not required.

Carefully monitor pest and disease levels. Apricot trees are somewhat susceptible to pests, including the plum curculio and the Oriental fruit moth. In terms of disease, brown rot is the most common apricot disease in many regions.

Selecting the right apricot variety

Apricot trees are typically the first tree fruit to blossom in the spring. Because of this early bloom, the yield of the tree can be reduced by harsh early spring frosts that destroy the fruit blossoms. Fortunately, there are appropriate varieties for different types of climates.

Selecting an apricot variety that complements your climate, harvest time, and tree size is key to successful growth. Most apricot trees are not grown from seed. Most trees in the nursery are actually branches off a mother variety that have been grafted onto a seedling rootstock.

Apricot cultivars that are quite susceptible to early season temperature fluctuations tend not to fruit regularly in the colder areas of eastern North America. In these regions, choose cold-hardy options that can be grown in more humid areas. Some good options are ‘Alfred,’ ‘Veecot,’ and ‘Vivagold.’ The cultivar ‘Alfred’ is a good one to look for, as it is both disease-resistant and self-fertile.

In western North America, older self-pollinating English varieties like ‘Blenheim,’ ‘Moorpark,’ and ‘Tilton’ can do quite well. Both ‘Blenheim’ and ‘Moorpark’ bloom quite early and are better suited for warmer areas like California. ‘Moorpark’ tends to have larger, sweeter fruit that’s good for eating fresh, while ‘Blenheim’ is a preferred canning variety.

Cold climate growers may wish to choose a Canadian variety. Introduced by the Harrow Research Station, these varieties are cold-hardy and tend to bloom later in the spring. Examples of these cold-hard varieties include the productive ‘Hargrand,’ the compact ‘Harglow,’ the attractive ‘Harogem,’ and the disease-resistant ‘Harlayne.’

While most common apricot cultivars are self-pollinating, there are some cultivars that are not reliably self-fruitful. Cultivars that typically need a pollinator partner tree include ‘Goldrich,’ ‘Rival,’ ‘Skaha,’ ‘Sungold,’ and ‘Sundrop.’ For these varieties, be sure to look for a locally available pollinator cultivar that blooms at the same time.

Site selection and soil preparation

Opt for a planting site that offers well-drained soil, generous sunlight, and safeguards against frost pockets to set your apricot tree off to a good start. Abundant sunlight ensures optimal growth and fruit production while well-draining soil is essential for apricot trees as stone fruits.

Be sure to plant your apricot tree at least 15-20 feet away from other trees or full-sun-loving plants to provide enough space for growth. Take care to prune and train your young tree to set up a good structure of branches.