Apricot Growing Guide
Apricot is a great next step in your growing journey. Follow this guide from planting to harvest and you'll do great.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Tree Fruit
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -23°C
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Plant a bare-root grafted tree while dormant in the warmest, most sheltered spot (ideally fan-trained on a south wall in cool climates). Choose a hardy, late-flowering variety where frost is a risk.
A self-fertile stone fruit, so one tree crops alone. Its big challenge is VERY early blossom — late frosts often kill the flowers, so plant it in the warmest, most sheltered spot you have (a sunny wall is ideal) and be ready to cover it on frosty spring nights. Prune in summer to avoid silver leaf/canker.
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
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Last Chance to Plant
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When should you plant Apricot?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Apricot Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Apricot's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
400 cm
Plant Spacing
500 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
Yes – Fan.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1An apricot's success is mostly about beating spring frost on its early blossom — warmest, most sheltered spot, and cover it on cold nights.
- 2Hand-pollinate the early flowers if few insects are about.
- 3Prune in summer, thin the fruit, and water steadily as the fruit swells.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
400 cm
Mature Height
400 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
14 days
When to Pick
Pick when fully coloured, fragrant and slightly soft; they bruise easily
How to Harvest
- 1Pick when the fruit is fully orange, smells apricotty and gives gently to a light squeeze.
- 2They bruise and spoil fast, so handle them carefully and use them within a few days.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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