When and how to plant and care apricots?
This tree is common in many gardens and small houses. Growing it isn’t hard, but there are a few things to keep in mind. It came to Ukraine from the Middle and Near East. The key is to choose good-quality seedlings and plant them properly.
Care for the tree is simple, and if done right, the tree will reward you with a good harvest.
Apricot is a fruit tree that can grow up to 8 meters tall. It starts to bloom in early or mid-spring, creating a very pretty sight. The flowers appear before the leaves show up. The fruit is a yellow stone fruit, often called a single-drupe.
The fruits are fragrant and can be bright yellow or have orange spots. Inside, there’s a stone or pit. The fruit’s taste, size, and flesh density depend on the variety.
Apricots can live a long time, up to 100 years. They begin to bear fruit around their third year and can produce for at least 30 years. The tree handles drought well because its roots grow deep into the soil, where they find moisture. Some varieties can tolerate cold winter temperatures down to minus 30°C.
Growing apricots the right way is not too complicated. The main rules are straightforward. When you plant depends on your location. If you are in the north, spring is the best time.
In the south, fall is better—just make sure the seedling has enough time to grow strong before winter. In the middle zone, you can choose either season.
Pick a sunny, warm spot because apricots love heat. Avoid areas with drafts or cold north winds. Soils should not be too acidic. If your soil is acidic, add lime to fix it. Light loam soil is best.
No matter when you plant, prepare the site in fall. Dig a hole about 80 cm deep. Mix the soil with peat and humus in a 2-to-1 ratio. Add 0.5 kg of superphosphate and 2 kg of ash to the mixture. Fill the hole with this mixture. Remove any damaged roots from the seedling.
Dip the roots in a mixture of clay and manure before planting. Make sure the root collar sits about 6 cm above the ground. Water the tree well with several buckets of water after planting. Tie the seedling to a small stick for support.
If planting in autumn, do the same as in spring. Just start preparing the soil about three weeks before planting.