Growing Apricot in Australia: The Complete Guide
Apricot is a moderate stone fruit tree to grow, needing full sun with regular, deep watering.
Apricot is one of the moderate additions to a home garden, and this article walks through everything behind our one-page printable guide in a bit more depth.
Early flowering, frost risk
Apricots flower very early in spring, which makes their blossom vulnerable to late frosts wiping out the season's crop — site away from frost pockets if possible.
Planting Apricot
Method — plant bare-rooted while dormant. Soil — well-drained, moderately fertile — dislikes wet feet. Timing — plant in winter while dormant.
Day-to-Day Care
Keep these points in mind:
- Choose a sheltered spot away from frost pockets given early flowering.
- Prune in summer to reduce disease entry.
- Water deeply through fruit development, ease off as it ripens.
- Thin fruit for better size if heavily set.
Common Problems
Worth paying attention to:
- Late frost damage to blossom — the main risk; site carefully.
- Brown rot — improve airflow, remove affected fruit.
- Fruit fly — net or bag ripening fruit.
- Gummosis — sap oozing from bark, often stress-related; ensure good drainage and avoid trunk damage.
Picking and Keeping Your Harvest
Signs — full colour, slight give, fragrant. Method — twist gently from the stem. Curing — none needed. Storage — room temperature a few days; can be dried for long-term storage.
For the condensed, printable version of everything above, head to the main apricot guide page.