How To Grow Apricot Trees

Growing Apricot Trees: Everything You Need to Know

Apricots are like a little burst of summer in fruit form, but growing them can feel like a tug-of-war between patience and payoff. They’re not *difficult*, but they demand respect. Start with the right variety for your region—this is non-negotiable. Apricots need a *specific chill requirement* (hours spent below 45°F) to break dormancy and fruit properly. Skip this, and you’ll just have a very handsome sapling.

Choosing the Perfect Spot

If apricot trees had a motto, it would be: “Full sun or forget it.” They thrive on sunlight like bees on blossoming flowers. Find the sunniest patch in your yard and claim it. If the spot gets dappled shade for half the day, you're asking for fewer fruits.

Also, they’re picky about soil drainage. Standing water is like a death sentence for their roots. Amend heavy clay soil with organic compost or plant on a slope to keep their feet dry. I once planted an apricot tree in a low spot. It became a lesson in futility—root rot isn’t merciful.

Planting: Time It Right

Fall or early spring is your window. These periods give trees enough time to establish roots before the intensity of summer or winter kicks in. Dig a hole at least twice the width of the root ball, but only as deep as the root system. Keep the graft union—where the tree was grafted to the rootstock—several inches above soil level. Burying it invites disease.

I’ve learned over the years to skip the fertilizer at planting time. New trees don’t need a buffet—they need stability. Mulch lightly around the base to retain moisture, but don’t pile it up like a volcano. That’s an invitation for pests.

Watering: Striking the Balance

Apricots love consistency, but too much water will drown them faster than you can say "drip irrigation." I water young trees deeply once a week, tapering off as they age. Mature trees survive on less, as long as they get a deep soak during fruit development.

If your tree’s leaves start yellowing and dropping mid-season, check your watering schedule. Overwatering disguises itself as underwatering suspiciously well. Less drama, more observation—that’s the rule.

Feeding Your Tree

Apricots appreciate a seasonal feeding, but they’re no gluttons. In late winter or early spring, scratch in a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Too much nitrogen will boost leaves but rob you of fruit. Keep it balanced, like life itself.

In my early days, I overfed a young tree, and it backfired spectacularly. It grew lush and green, but nary a blossom appeared. Lesson learned: Moderation wins the harvest.

Pruning: Discipline Pays Off

There’s no escaping this chore. Apricots need *annual pruning* like humans need coffee. Do it in late summer or early fall, after harvesting. They’re susceptible to fungal infections if pruned in wet conditions, so keep those shears away during winter or rainy spells.

Focus on shaping the tree into an open vase, thinning overcrowded branches. This improves air circulation and lets sunlight reach every nook. Skip pruning, and you’ll end up with fruiting twigs too high to reach or too shaded to produce.

One year, I skipped pruning on a whim. The result? A spindly mess of branches heavy with small, tasteless fruit. Never again.

Pests and Diseases: The Battle

Apricots are sweet, and not just to you—aphids, borers, and mites will be your uninvited guests. Dormant oil sprays in late winter can help snuff out eggs before they hatch. Avoid spraying during bloom, or you risk harming pollinators like bees.

Brown rot is the bane of apricot growers. This fungal disease loves wet springs and can ruin entire crops. Remove infected fruits promptly, and apply preventative fungicides if needed. One year, I failed to catch early signs, and watching an entire tree’s crop turn to mush was a heartbreak I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Harvesting: The Sweet Reward

Here’s where growing apricot trees *pays off*. Forget the supermarket’s bland, underripe offerings—homegrown apricots are a different beast. They should come off the tree with a gentle twist, fully golden and fragrant. If you need to tug, they’re not ready.

Fresh-picked apricots can taste two times sweeter than store-bought. It’s science—and a little bit of magic.

Don’t let them over-ripen either. Apricots bruise faster than a ripe avocado, so harvest every few days during peak season. If you’ve ever sunk your teeth into a sun-warmed apricot, you know it’s worth the vigilance.

Final Thought

Apricot trees aren’t just plants—they’re investments. They make you wait, watch, and sometimes curse, but when you bite into that first perfect fruit, all is forgiven. Approach them with patience and an appetite for learning, and they’ll reward you in ways that go far beyond the harvest.

treesGrowing Apricot trees is a great idea for many reasons. not only are they a great source of nutrition, but they are also drought tolerant and are largely pest and disease resistant. plus they have a beautiful flavor that can not be matched. in addition, the trees themselves are relatively low-maintenance and require minimal fertilization or pruning-tips-for-healthy-herbs">pruning. lastly, apricot trees can produce fruit year-round, making them a great choice for home growers.