Apricots: Calendar of Operations
for Home Gardeners
Pamela M. Geisel is UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Environmental Horticulture for
Fresno County; Carolyn L. Unruh is UCCE staff writer for Fresno County; and Paul Vossen is
UCCE Farm Advisor in Fruits, Vegetables, and Marketing for Sonoma and Marin Counties.
University of California
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Publication 7259
The early blooming habit of apricots gives them a more
limited range than that of peaches and nectarines. Late
spring frosts tend to damage apricot blossoms and limit
fruit set. Apricots also are poorly adapted to areas with
extremes of high summer temperature because the fruit
of many varieties are prone to heat damage. Some vari-
eties, such as Patterson, tend to exhibit less pit burning
than other varieties in hot inland valleys or desert cli-
mates. Most apricot trees do not require a second vari-
ety for cross-pollination. The soil should be well
drained and should receive regular irrigation.
Winter Dormant Season
If peach twig borer, San Jose scale, mites, or
aphids have been recurring problems, spray the
trees with dormant oil to control these pests.
Spring Bloom Season
As blooms start to open, spray trees to control
brown rot of flowers and twigs. One effective
chemical is chlorothalonil(apply according to
label instructions). During rainy periods, you
may need to re-apply chemicals more frequently.
If you use drip irrigation, apply just the amount
of water needed to replace what is used by the
tree and lost from the soil through evaporation. If
you use sprinkler or flood irrigation, water about
every two to three weeks, and provide enough
water to wet the soil to a depth of 18 to 24 inches.
Water requirements will vary depending on
environmental conditions and your soil type.
Fertilize mature trees just prior to the first irriga-
tion with 3 to 4 pounds of ammonium sulfate.
Water the fertilizer in immediately to prevent
nitrogen losses.
Thin fruits to about 4 to 6 inches apart when they
are 1/2 to 5/8 inch in diameter. This will help to
increase fruit size and prevent limb breakage.
Paint the trunks and lower branches of young
trees with a 1:1 mixture of white interior latex
paint and water to prevent sunburn injury and to
reduce borer infestations. Apply the paint mix-
ture from 2 inches below the soil surface to 2 feet
above.
Summer Growing Season
Continue to irrigate at regular intervals to main-
tain adequate soil moisture.
Harvest fruit when fully ripe. In some varieties,
all of the fruit on a tree will not ripen at the same
time and they may need to be harvested over a
period of weeks. Fruit may be stored briefly at
room temperature, or for longer periods under
refrigeration. Sun drying is also a great way to
preserve apricots.
Autumn
Prune trees before the onset of winter rains
(by early September) to prevent Eutypa fungus
infection of pruning wounds. Remove about 20
percent of last years growth to let light into the
trees. Remove old, broken, and diseased
branches. Renew spurs whenever possible by
cutting back on older wood.
If shot hole fungus was a problem during the
growing season, help control it by spraying trees
during or after leaf fall but before the onset of
winter rains. Use bordeaux or a fixed-copper
fungicide, following label instructions. Avoid the
use of sulfur on apricot trees.
For More Information
Cousult these UC IPM Pest Notes online at
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu:
Aphids
Bordeaux Mixture
Scales
WARNING ON THE USE OF CHEMICALS
Carefully follow all precautions and safety recommendations given on the container label. Store all chemicals in
their original labeled containers in a locked cabinet or shed, away from foods or feeds, and out of the reach of chil-
dren, unauthorized persons, pets, and livestock.
Confine chemicals to the property being treated. Avoid drift onto neighboring properties, especially gardens con-
taining fruits and/or vegetables ready to be picked.
Mix and apply only the amount of pesticide you will need to complete the application. spray all the material
according to label directions. Do not dispose of unused material by pouring down the drain or toilet. Do not pour
on ground: soil or underground water supplies may be contaminated. follow label directions for disposing of con-
tainer. Never burn pesticide containers.
PHYTOTOXICITY: Certain chemicals may cause plant injury if used at the wrong stage of plant development or
when temperatures are too high. Injury may also result from excessive amounts or the wrong formulation or from
mixing incompatible materials. Inert ingredients, such as wetters, spreaders, emulsifiers, diluents, and solvents,
can cause plant injury. Since formulations are often changed by manufacturers, it is possible that plant injury may
occur, even though no injury was noted in previous seasons.
Funding for this publication was made possible through a grant from the Elvenia J. Slosson Fund.
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pr-1/02-JWC/CY
This publication has been anonymously peer reviewed for technical accuracy by University of Cali-
fornia scientists and other qualified professionals. This review process was managed by the ANR
Associate Editor for Pomology, Viticulture, and Subtropical Horticulture.
You'll also find information on fruit and nut tree care in
these titles from UC ANR:
California Master Gardener Handbook, publication 3382
Drip Irrigation in the Home Landscape, publication 21579
Pests of the Garden and Small Farm, publication 3332
Pruning Fruit and Nut Trees, publication 21171
Sweet Cherries for the Home Grounds, publication 2951
The UC Guide to Solving Garden and Landscape Prob-
lems, CD-ROM 3400
Visit the ANR Communication Services website at
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu.
Publication 7259
© 2002 by the Regents of the University of
California,Division of Agriculture and Natural
Resources. All rights reserved.
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2 Apricots: Calendar of Operations for Home Gardeners
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introduction
Winter Dormant Season
Spring Bloom Season
Summer Growing Season
Autumn
For More Information
WARNING ON THE USE OF CHEMICALS
Text1: ISBN 978-1-60107-050-0
