How to plant and care for Apricot

Prunus armeniaca

🌳 Tree 🍓 Fruit 🔁 Perennial

A deciduous fruit tree known for its sweet, juicy, and slightly tart orange fruits. Apricots are self-fertile but often benefit from cross-pollination for better yields. They thrive in full sun and well-draining soil.

At a glance: harvest in July.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Harvest

Prune

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Growing Apricot: what it needs

Light: Full sun · 6+ hours a day
Watering: Regularly during establishment (first 1-2 years), then deeply once a week during dry periods.
Soil: Well-draining, loamy soil · pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing: 4-6m apart
In pots: Best in the ground
Feeding: Fertilize young trees in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Mature trees may need less, or a fruit tree specific fertilizer.
Harvest: About 1095 days from sowing
Hardiness: USDA zones 5–8
Difficulty: Intermediate

Step by step

On planting day
Plant Apricot Tree
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place tree, backfill, and water thoroughly.
Straight after “Plant Apricot Tree”
Water In Tree
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle soil around roots.
1 day after “Water In Tree”
Apply Mulch
Apply a 5-10cm layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it away from the trunk.
30 days after “Apply Mulch”
First Fertilization
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer around the drip line of the newly planted tree.

Every year

February
Dormant Pruning
Prune to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches and to shape the tree. Best done in late winter before bud break.
March
Spring Fertilization
Apply a balanced fruit tree fertilizer or compost around the drip line as new growth begins.
April
Spring Pest & Disease Check
Inspect for early signs of pests (aphids, borers) or diseases (brown rot, powdery mildew). Treat as necessary.
May
Thin Apricot Fruit
If fruit set is heavy, thin fruits to 5-10cm apart to encourage larger, healthier apricots and prevent branch breakage.
June
Summer Pest & Disease Check
Continue monitoring for pests and diseases, especially as fruit ripens.
July
Harvest Apricots
Pick apricots when they are fully colored, slightly soft, and easily detach from the branch.
August
Post-Harvest Pruning
Lightly prune after harvest to remove any vigorous upright shoots or to maintain shape. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer.
November
Winter Protection
In colder zones, consider wrapping trunks of young trees or applying extra mulch for winter protection.