Crops › Apricot
How to grow Apricot
in the US
Sow March to November, plant out December, harvest June to September. About 730 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Apricots are a bit of a challenge, to be honest, but the reward from your own backyard is just something else. Fresh, juicy apricots from your own tree are proper special, a real treat. They take a bit of patience, but they really do give back.
Sowing
Apricots are usually started from seed or as bare-root trees. If you're going from seed, it's a long game, about two years till harvest, so get ready for that! You'll need to stratify the seeds first, giving them a cold period, then sow them about an inch deep in pots indoors, in good seed compost. For sowing times, it really depends on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Folks in zone 3 might sow in April or May, while those in warmer zones like 9 or 10 could be sowing from fall through winter, even January or February. Always check your local conditions and adjust, you know what I mean.
Growing on
Once your apricot seedlings are big enough to handle, pot them on into individual containers. Keep them in a sheltered spot, maybe a cold frame, or a sunny windowsill if it's still chilly outside. When all danger of last frost has passed in your area, and the young trees are a bit more established, they can go into their permanent spot. They need plenty of space, so pick a sunny, well-drained site. You'll want to give them some support too, especially young trees, to protect them from strong winds.
Looking after it
Apricots like consistent moisture, so water them regularly, especially when they're young or when the fruit is developing. A good layer of mulch around the base helps keep the soil moist and keeps the weeds down, like I say. Feed them a balanced fertilizer in spring. Proper pruning is important too, for health and good fruit.
What goes wrong
Like most fruit trees, apricots can attract a few unwelcome visitors. Aphids can be a nuisance on new growth, so keep an eye out and spray them off with water or use a bit of insecticidal soap. Slugs can be a problem too, especially for young trees or if you're growing from seed, so put out some traps or barriers. Proper airflow helps prevent fungal issues, so prune carefully.
Harvest
You're usually looking at July or August for harvest, but that depends on your zone and the variety. Apricots are ready when they feel slightly soft and come away easily from the branch with a gentle twist. Don't pull too hard! They don't ripen much after picking, so let them get good and ripe on the tree. Store them in a cool, dry place, or pop them in the fridge if you need them to last. They're cracking for jams or drying if you get a proper glut.
To be honest, apricots are a proper challenge on my plot, takes a lot of patience. I always try to plant some nasturtiums nearby, they're good for luring the aphids away from the fruit.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Moorpark Moorpark is a classic apricot variety, known for its consistent yields. It's a solid choice for anyone wanting a dependable maincrop for home use. | No club votes yet |
| Harcot Harcot is another reliable performer, producing good crops of tasty fruit. This one's great if you're looking for a hardy option that stands up well to different conditions. | No club votes yet |
| Goldcot Goldcot is a dependable apricot variety, giving you lovely golden fruits. It's a good all-rounder for general growing and makes cracking jams. | No club votes yet |
| Tilton Tilton is a robust apricot that consistently produces good fruit. This variety is well-suited for processing, making it ideal if you plan to dry or preserve your harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Blenheim (Royal) Blenheim (Royal) is a much-loved apricot, prized for its excellent flavor. If taste is your top priority for fresh eating, you can't go wrong with this one. | No club votes yet |
| Chinese (Mormon) Chinese (Mormon) is a very hardy apricot, known for its resilience and good fruit. It's a cracking choice for gardeners in areas that experience colder winters. | No club votes yet |
| Tomcot Tomcot is an early-ripening apricot, giving you fruit a bit sooner than others. If you're keen to get your first apricots of the season, this is a good one to try. | No club votes yet |
| Puget Gold Puget Gold is a reliable apricot, often praised for its beautiful, sweet fruit. It's a fantastic option for a consistent harvest and lovely fresh eating. | No club votes yet |
| Perfection Perfection lives up to its name, offering large, high-quality apricots. This variety is excellent if you're aiming for impressive, blemish-free fruit. | No club votes yet |
| Katy Katy is a very popular apricot, especially for its early season fruit. If you're after a sweet, juicy apricot that ripens early, Katy is a grand choice. | No club votes yet |
| Harlayne Harlayne is a hardy apricot variety, known for its reliable production even in tougher spots. It's a solid choice for gardeners needing a resilient tree that consistently performs. | No club votes yet |
| Harglow Harglow is a dependable apricot, offering good resistance to common diseases. This makes it a great option if you prefer a lower-maintenance fruit tree. | No club votes yet |
| Autumn Royal Autumn Royal is a later-ripening apricot, extending your harvest season. If you want fresh apricots a bit later in the year, this variety is worth a look. | No club votes yet |
| Harcot Hardy Harcot Hardy is, like the name suggests, a very tough and reliable apricot. It's an excellent choice for those in colder regions looking for a resilient fruit producer. | No club votes yet |
| Wenatchee Moorpark Wenatchee Moorpark is a classic apricot, known for its large, flavorful fruits. It's a cracking option if you appreciate a good old-fashioned apricot taste. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Apricot seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 4 | April to May | July to September |
| Zone 5 | March to May | July to September |
| Zone 6 | March to November | June to September |
| Zone 7 | March to November | June to September |
| Zone 8 | February to November | May to September |
| Zone 9 | February to December | May to September |
| Zone 10 | November to February | April to September |
Cook the harvest
Caramelized apricot halves arranged in a cast-iron skillet, covered with a fragrant cardamom-spiced butter cake batter, and baked until golden — then inverted to reveal a stunning fruit-topped surface that glistens like jewels. The cardamom and brown butter caramel lift the apricots into something truly special. This is the centerpiece dessert of summer.
65 min · mediumA buttery pastry shell filled with frangipane — a silky almond cream — and topped with fresh apricot halves that caramelize beautifully as they bake. This classic French-style tart is as stunning to look at as it is to eat, with the nuttiness of the almond filling perfectly complementing the floral tartness of summer apricots. It keeps well and tastes even better the next day.
70 min · mediumA beautifully juicy pork tenderloin brushed with a sticky, sweet-tart apricot glaze made from fresh apricots, Dijon mustard, garlic, and a touch of balsamic — then roasted to a caramelized, mahogany finish. The pairing of pork and stone fruit is a classic for good reason, and this recipe is one of the most elegant ways to present it. A dinner party main that is on the table in under 45 minutes.
45 min · easyA crisp butter pastry shell filled with silky almond frangipane and topped with halved fresh apricots that sink into the batter as it bakes — this is one of the great stone-fruit tarts. The almond filling cushions the fruit and develops a faintly crisp top, while the apricots become jammy and intensely flavored. It's the kind of tart that looks like it came from a patisserie.
85 min · challengingWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: nasturtium, chives, comfrey, white clover, yarrow, daffodils
Questions people ask
When do you sow Apricot in the US?
Sow Apricot from March to November in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out December, after the last frost.
How long does Apricot take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 730 days, with the harvest June to September.
Which Apricot varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Moorpark, Harcot, Goldcot, Tilton and more.
Track your Apricot from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.