How to Grow Apricot
Fruit Tree
Apricots can reward a careful British gardener with intensely flavoured, velvety fruit, but their early blossom makes them a specialist crop. A fan-trained tree, such as 'Moorpark', on a sheltered warm wall gives the best chance of reliable harvests in much of the UK.
Planting & rootstocks
Buy a named variety grafted on a size-controlling rootstock, commonly St Julien A for a manageable fan or Torinel for more restrained growth where available. Plant bare-root trees while dormant from November to March, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground; container trees can go in during mild weather. Set the graft union above soil level, firm well, water in and tie young shoots to horizontal wires fixed about 30 cm from the wall.
Pollination
Most apricots, including 'Moorpark', are self-fertile, so one tree can crop. Their flowers open very early, often before insects are active. Protect blossom with horticultural fleece on frosty nights and, under glass or in a sheltered position, transfer pollen gently between open flowers with a soft brush on dry days. A second compatible apricot can improve fruit set but is not essential.
Care & pruning
Keep the root area weed-free and mulch in spring with well-rotted organic matter, leaving a gap around the trunk. Feed lightly in spring if growth is weak. Train new shoots to fill the fan and prune after harvest in dry summer weather, removing congested or diseased growth. Avoid winter pruning: apricots are stone fruit and cuts then increase the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker.
Years to bear
A grafted apricot may produce a few fruits after 2 to 3 years, with worthwhile crops usually from 4 years. Frost protection and good training matter more than age alone.
Harvest
Pick from late July to August, depending on locality and summer warmth. Fruits are ready when richly coloured, fragrant and slightly soft at the stalk end, and they lift with a gentle twist. Handle carefully, as ripe apricots bruise easily; eat promptly or store briefly in a cool place.
Common problems
Late frost, poor pollination and wet weather are common causes of scant crops. Peach leaf curl can affect apricots, while aphids, brown rot, silver leaf and bacterial canker also occur. Site trees under shelter, remove mummified fruit and affected shoots promptly, improve airflow, and prune only during dry summer conditions. Netting may deter birds without trapping wildlife if it is kept taut and checked regularly.
Growing Apricot: frequently asked questions
How do I grow apricot in the UK?
Buy a named variety grafted on a size-controlling rootstock, commonly St Julien A for a manageable fan or Torinel for more restrained growth where available.
Does apricot need a pollination partner?
Most apricots, including 'Moorpark', are self-fertile, so one tree can crop.
When is apricot ready to harvest?
Pick from late July to August, depending on locality and summer warmth.
General guidance for UK home growers. Variety and pollination needs vary; the RHS or a local garden centre can advise for your area. Page updated 18 Sep 2026.