How to grow Apricots

Apricots Growing Guide

Few fruits can compete with the apricot for sheer indulgence, and with new varieties perfectly suited to the British climate, there’s never been a better time to grow them.

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How to grow Apricots

Things are evolving in the fruit garden. Mild winters and sunnier summers are slowly changing what we grow, with new and previously coddled fruits increasingly able to stand on their own feet. Cue the apricot; a soft and succulent stone fruit whose time has finally arrived. It’s not just our changing seasons that have helped this sun-loving fruit tree – years of breeding in places such as New Zealand and the United States have yielded a new generation of hardier varieties that are ideally suited to our island conditions.

If you thought apricots were too fussy and not for you, now is the time to give them a second look. Cooler, northern gardeners can grow them as a fan against a south-facing wall that will soak up daytime heat to re-emit at night, while southern growers can try them as free-standing bushes, for a crop of up to 500 fruits per plant! 

With Britain seeing its first commercial apricot orchard in Kent, and as improved, self-fertile varieties make growing them a doddle, the apricot has truly come of age.

Are apricot trees easy to grow?

While modern varieties are certainly easier to grow, apricot trees in the UK will always perform best when given the sunniest spot in the garden. You can grow an apricot tree from a stone, but this is a pain; likewise with growing an apricot tree from a cutting. It’s worth bearing in mind that apricots do not grow true from seed. You’re much better off investing in a decent, young apricot tree.

They need free-draining soil that won’t become saturated in winter, and young apricot trees will require a fairly deep soil to get their roots into. Apricot tree lifespan is quite impressive: a tree will crop for at least a couple of decades, so pick your spot wisely. 

To prepare the ground, thoroughly dig it over and incorporate plenty of organic matter to give it a boost. If your soil is particularly heavy, mark out a trench where the apricot tree is going to sit, and add a layer of broken mortar or bricks to the base, before covering with turfs and refilling with soil. Before planting, fork in some general-purpose fertiliser.

Free-standing apricot tree height can reach 3.6m, and these trees require little further preparation, but apricots grown as a fan will need a suitable support system. Prepare a south-facing wall or fence that’s at least 2m high and 4m wide to allow the branches to spread. Space horizontal wires at 15cm intervals on the wall, holding these in place with vine eyes. 

Growing apricot trees in pots

With their preference for deep, well-prepared soil there is some argument against growing apricots in containers, but with the right rootstock, a big enough container and a good planting medium, you’ll have no problems. In fact, there are clear advantages to container growing – apricots can be moved around the garden to make the most of the sun, and are easily covered in winter or brought into the greenhouse to protect them from rain splash, which can spread disease.

You might find it tricky to find a dwarf apricot tree in the UK, so select plants grown on a ‘St Julien A’ rootstock. Choose containers at least 50cm-wide and add a layer of crocks or stones into the bottom to aid drainage. Use soil-based compost to plant your tree – John Innes No. 3 is just the ticket. 

Trees will rely on you for water and nutrients, so be on-hand with the watering can. Begin feeding your apricot plants once they set into growth, and until their fruits swell. A high-potash liquid feed – tomato feed is perfect – applied every two weeks will keep them happy. Replace the top inch of soil every spring.

Pruning apricot trees

The initial work involved in nurturing your apricot will be around establishing a healthy branch framework. Any pruning is always completed during the growing season, to limit the opportunity for disease to set in when the apricot tree is sluggish in winter. It’s also best to avoid pruning during very wet weather.

To train an apricot bush, begin by cutting back the main stems by about a third, cutting to an outward-facing bud. This will encourage the tree to fill out. Do this initial pruning in mid-spring. Thereafter, simply cut away any vertical stems that appear and remove branches that are crossing, rubbing or damaged, immediately after harvesting your apricots in July or August. 

Older branches can be removed from time to time to promote fresh growth. Fangrown apricot trees are usually bought with two branches radiating out from a central stump. Tie in new stems as they grow to fill out the fan and cover the wall. Cut out (below ground level) any vertical suckers that emerge from the rootstock.

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Growing Apricots month-by-month

January

Feed the apricot tree with fruit-promoting potash before any buds start to break. Comfrey pellets have the perfect balance of nutrients.

February

Apricots may start to blossom by the end of this month. Protect these vulnerable flowers from frost, and hand-pollinate, to ensure that your trees set a good crop of fruits.

March

Finish planting bare root apricot trees by the end of the month. Apply a top-dressing of fertiliser and top up with thick mulch.

April

Young apricot fruitlets should now be clearly visible on the tree – thin them if necessary. Complete formative pruning of trees.

May

As temperatures rise and the days lengthen, keep new apricot trees well-watered and weed-free. Tie in new growth of fans as it appears, using soft garden twine.

June

Maintain a moist, weed-free environment for your apricot tree. If birds are a problem in your area, net against possible attack.

July

The earliest apricot varieties will be cropping by now. Fruits that are ready will be fully coloured and slightly soft to the touch.

August

As in July, harvest your apricot crop.

September

Enjoy the final flush of apricots. Turn any gluts into a delicious apricot jam, or dry the fruits for a healthy, chewy snack.

October

Prepare the ground for the autumn planting of bare root apricot trees. Dig deep, incorporating ample organic matter, such as compost or manure.

Must do this month!
November

This is usually the best month to plant bare root apricot trees, as the soil is still warm, and plants have time to settle down before winter. Make sure the soil is thoroughly prepared beforehand.

December

Continue to plant bare root apricot trees as conditions allow. Do not plant if the soil is wet or frozen, as trees will suffer.

Caring for your Apricots plants + problems

Apricots are as wonderfully easy to care for, as they are delicious! Recently planted trees will need watering, at least for the first few years, during the summer. Fan-trained trees will always require watering in dry summers. 

To help them forge onwards to harvest time, top-dress the soil around each tree with a handful of general-purpose fertiliser in early spring, before applying a thick mulch of organic material for the worms to turn in. If you have any comfrey, make a liquid feed from this and drench the soil throughout the growing season – apricots love it!

Most apricots flower exceptionally early compared to traditional tree fruits – it’s not uncommon for trees to be in blossom as early as February. This makes the flowers particularly vulnerable to frost, so be prepared to cover wall-trained trees with fleece should one be forecast. 

Despite apricots being self-fertile, they will benefit from a helping hand to guarantee pollination at a time when insect activity is sparse. Use a soft paint brush to tickle the centre of the flowers for this.

It is said that basil and alpine strawberries make decent apricot tree companion plants: the strawberries grow well in a semi-shady spot under apricot trees, whilst basil is said to repel fruit flies, and can also grow in partial shade.

How to harvest Apricots

Unlike many tree fruits, apricots rarely require thinning as they develop. Should you feel that a tree is overcrowded with young fruits then carefully cut away the excess to leave an apricot every 8cm. Do this when they are the size of a hazelnut.

Fruits will be ready when they are slightly soft to the touch and come away easily from the tree – anytime between July and September. They are best eaten immediately as they will only keep for a matter of days, but if you are faced with the most agreeable prospect of an apricot glut they are very easy to dry for a nutritious snack (great for hill walkers) or can be turned into a tempting preserve. 

Whatever you do, don’t eat apricot kernels or apricot seeds, though. They are high in amygdalin, also known as laetrile, which is converted into cyanide in the body, which can lead to cyanide poisoning! Don’t say you weren’t warned.

If you’re wondering what the apricot yield per tree is; even a young, three-year-old tree can be expected to yield up to 20 ripe apricot fruits, and as trees mature and fill out, this number will only increase. The difference in taste that a home-grown apricot, plucked fresh from the tree, makes to the fruit garden is immense. Sweet, juicy and bursting with flavour – what an exceptional treat!

Varieties of Apricots

Apricots varieties to try

'Golden Glow'

This hardy fellow was discovered growing in the Malvern Hills. It's ideal for growing as a free-standing bush and produces smaller, yellow apricots.

'New Large Early'

Bred back in 1873, ‘New Large Early’ is one of the earliest apricots to crop – as soon as late June! The large, white fruits have a honeyed flesh.

'Moorpark'

The most widely grown apricot in this country thanks to its fine-tasting, golden orange fruits which take on a crimson blush on maturity.

'Alfred'

With its resistance to dieback and deliciously flavoursome, medium-sized fruits, ‘Alfred’ is a popular choice among connoisseur apricot growers.

'Goldcot'

This reliable variety has been bred to cope with our cooler, wetter climate. The stones come away easily from the apricots, so it’s great for jam-making.

'Dwarf Aprigold'

Pick this variety for container growing. Its compact habit makes it the logical apricot choice for the patio, where it will provide a feast for the eyes and stomach.

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