© Frank P Matthews
In a warm, sunny spot, apricots such as ‘Flavorcot’ should fruit well
Apricots are not the tender treasures you might imagine – many modern varieties crop reliably in a sunny, sheltered garden or even in a pot. Packed with sweet juice and delicate flavours, home-grown apricots are more delicious than any you can buy in a shop. Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) are sun-lovers, so grow them in a warm site where they can soak up the rays and ripen their sweet, juicy fruits. They are grown in a similar way to peaches and nectarines (which are close relatives), fruiting best when trained against a sunny wall. They can also be grown as free-standing trees, either in the ground or in a container. Most apricots need regular attention across the growing season, including watering, feeding and pruning, along with protection for their flowers and fruit. But these attractive small trees should then reward you with blossom in early spring, followed by a sweet, juicy apricots in summer.
With their sweet flavor and velvety texture, fresh apricots are a tempting fruit to grow at home. But not all locations provide the ideal climate necessary for apricot trees to thrive and bear abundant harvests. To succeed with apricots it’s important to understand where they can be grown and how to optimize your planting site.
Overview of Climate Needs
Apricots require a certain combination of winter chill adequate summer heat, and protection from late spring frosts. Here’s a quick rundown of their key climate requirements
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Winter chill hours – Most varieties need 100-600 chill hours below 45°F over winter for proper dormancy and flowering.
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Hardiness zone – Apricots can be grown in zones 5-9, with some hardy varieties surviving zone 4 winters.
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Summer heat – Warm summer temperatures, consistently above 85°F, are ideal for fruit ripening.
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Spring frosts – Early flowering makes apricots prone to frost damage, especially in cooler climates.
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Climate adaptability – Some newer low-chill varieties are more flexible for marginal climates.
Matching varieties to your specific location is crucial. With the right climate conditions, you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful apricot harvest.
Best regions for growing apricots
The optimal apricot climate features:
- Minimum winter temps around -10°F to 10°F
- 100-600 winter chill hours below 45°F
- Hot summers with temps averaging 85-100°F
- Low risk of spring frost during flowering
- Low humidity and dry weather before harvest
Some of the best apricot growing regions include:
- Intermountain West – Utah, Idaho, Colorado
- Pacific Northwest – Protected inland valleys
- Southwest – New Mexico, Arizona, Texas
- Midwest – Sheltered microclimates in OH, IN, IL
- California – Central valley, foothills
Coastal areas often lack adequate summer heat. Colder climates don’t meet winter chill requirements.
Expanding the viable growing range
With smart variety picks and protection methods, apricots can grow in marginal areas like:
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Colder zones – Choose late-blooming varieties to avoid frost damage. Provide wind protection and maximize heat absorption.
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Warmer zones – Select low-chill varieties needing under 200 chill hours. Offer afternoon shade and cross-ventilation.
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Coastal regions – Focus on disease-resistant varieties tolerating humidity. Plant in protected microclimates.
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Containers & greenhouses – Offer insulation and temperature control for expanding viability.
With some adjustments, apricots can grow well beyond their ideal climate range, stretching from zone 4 into zones 9-10.
Best apricot varieties by growing zone
Recommended varieties for different growing zones include:
- Zone 4 – Manchurian, Moongold, Sungold
- Zone 5 – Harglow, Moorpark, Wilson Delicious
- Zone 6 – Harlayne, Goldbar, Riland
- Zone 7 – Blenheim, Katy, Robada
- Zone 8 – Flaming Gold, Golden Amber, Poppy
Matching varieties to your chill hours, summer heat, and other factors is key for success.
Optimizing your planting site
Within your zone, also consider these local microclimate factors:
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Sun exposure – Apricots require full sun. A south or west-facing planting site is ideal.
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Soil – Well-drained, moisture retentive, fertile soil enriched with organic matter provides the best growth.
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Air drainage – Cold air sinks, so choose elevated sites that allow cold air to drain away, helping avoid frost damage.
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Wind protection – Wind can desiccate flowers and cause chilling injury. Site trees in a sheltered location.
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Slope – North-facing slopes delay flowering and reduce frost risk. South-facing slopes offer more warmth.
Take the time to find the optimal site for your apricot. With good climate and location, you can harvest an abundance of sweet apricots.
Key Takeaways
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Apricots require 100-600 winter chill hours and hot summer temps for best fruiting.
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Ideal growing zones are 5-9, but some varieties can grow in zones 4-10.
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Pick cultivars suited to your chill hours and climate.
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Maximize sun, slope, wind protection, and air drainage in your planting site.
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With the right climate and location, apricots can thrive beyond their ideal range.
Optimizing variety selection and microclimate factors allows you to succeed with apricots even in marginal climates. Follow climate-appropriate growing practices for sweet, juicy homegrown apricots.
What and where to buy
Apricot trees are sold either bare-root (without soil) or in pots. Bare-root trees are often cheaper, but are only available from late autumn to early spring, usually from specialist suppliers. Potted trees are sold all year round and more widely available. As apricot trees crop best when grown as a fan, you may prefer to buy a partially trained two- or three-year-old fan, rather than a younger tree that you need to train from scratch. Pre-trained trees are more expensive and usually only available from specialist fruit nurseries. While it is possible to grow your own apricot tree from the stone of a shop-bought fruit, it may not be suitable for the UK climate. If you want an apricot tree that will fruit reliably in the UK, it’s worth investing in a good quality grafted tree, of a suitable variety, from a reputable UK supplier.
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Apricot trees are best planted against a south-, south-west or west-facing wall or fence, where they can be fan trained, soaking up maximum heat and sun. As they flower early in spring, choose a site that isn’t prone to heavy or late frosts, which can damage the blossom and reduce cropping. See our guide to positioning fruit trees. Dwarf varieties, often sold as patio fruit trees, crop well in pots, but are best overwintered in an unheated greenhouse. In milder regions and/or very warm, sheltered, sunny locations, apricots may also crop successfully as free-standing trees. In very cold regions, they’re best grown in an unheated greenhouse or polytunnel. Apricots like deep, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil that is ideally slightly acid to neutral. Avoid planting in poorly drained soil, which can cause the roots to rot. Apricot trees struggle in light or shallow soil, so improve it by digging in lots of garden compost or well-rotted manure. The best time to plant an apricot tree is while it’s dormant, from November to March – autumn is ideal, as the soil is still warm and damp. See our planting guide below for full details.
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Planting against a wall
To help ripen the fruit, apricot trees are best trained against a sunny wall, but the soil at the base of walls is often poor and dry, so it’s important to prepare it particularly well. Dig lots of well-rotted manure or garden compost into the whole area, then plant the tree at least 30cm (1ft) away from the wall, angled slightly towards it. Fan-trained apricots can eventually reach a width of 3.5–5m (11–16ft), so make sure there is plenty of room on either side.
How to Grow Apricot from Seed – A Quick Guide on How to Germinate Apricot Seeds
FAQ
Where in the US can you grow apricots?
Today, nearly 75 percent of the apricots grown in the United States come from California. The remainder largely comes from Washington, with less than 1 percent from Utah.
Are apricots difficult to grow?
Apricots are the one of the most difficult tree fruits to successfully grow in our climate as they are best suited to climates with consistently cold winters …
What zone can you grow apricots in?
Apricot trees are hardy to USDA zones 4-9, unless otherwise noted . This rating tells you the minimum winter temperature the plants typically survive when properly hardened off.
What conditions do apricots like to grow in?
Apricots perform best where spring weather is dry. They are susceptible to late spring frosts and do not do well in areas with summer fog. Apricot trees need full sun, good air movement, and well-drained soil at least four feet deep. They require 600 to 900 chill hours (temperatures below 45° F).