Apricots are little juicy gems you can eat in about two
bites. Growing
a couple apricot trees in your backyard orchard is not difficult and can
provide you with an abundant annual harvest. There are a few things you’ll need
to know, like why feeding apricot trees is important and how or when to do it
to ensure healthy, productive trees.
Growing and Fertilizing Apricots
Apricot trees can be grown in USDA zones 5 through 8, which
includes most of the U.S. They are more susceptible to spring frost damage than
peaches
and nectarines,
though, and may suffer from very hot summers. Apricots need full sun and
well-drained soil, but they do not need pollinators. Most varieties are self-pollinating,
so you can get away with growing just one tree.
Fertilizing apricots is not always necessary. If you see
adequate growth in your tree, you may not need to feed it. Good growth is 10 to
20 inches (25 to 50 cm.) on new growth for young trees and 8 to 10 inches (20
to 25 cm.) for mature and older trees each year.
When to Feed Apricot Trees
Do not fertilize your young apricot tree in its first year
or two. After that, when the tree has begun to bear fruit, you may use a nitrogen
fertilizer or one that is specific to stone fruit during the spring blooming
season. Avoid application of apricot fertilizer later than July.
How to Fertilize an Apricot Tree
Fruit trees are more likely to need nitrogen if they need
any feeding at all. This is usually the limiting factor in nutrients. In sandy
soil, apricots may become deficient in zinc and potassium. It’s not a bad
idea to test
your soil before fertilizing. This will give you a better idea of what your
soil and tree actually need. Contact your local
extension office for a soil analysis.
If you do need to feed your trees, apply about one half to one cup (118 to 236 ml.) of fertilizer for young trees and one to two cups for mature trees. Also, check the application instructions for the specific fertilizer you are using.
Apply the fertilizer along the dripline and water it
immediately into the soil to avoid nutrient loss. The dripline is the circle
around a tree under the tips of branches. This is where rain drips down to the
ground and where the tree will best absorb the nutrients applied.
Apricots are little juicy gems you can eat in about two
bites. Growing
a couple apricot trees in your backyard orchard is not difficult and can
provide you with an abundant annual harvest. There are a few things you’ll need
to know, like why feeding apricot trees is important and how or when to do it
to ensure healthy, productive trees.
Growing and Fertilizing Apricots
Apricot trees can be grown in USDA zones 5 through 8, which
includes most of the U.S. They are more susceptible to spring frost damage than
peaches
and nectarines,
though, and may suffer from very hot summers. Apricots need full sun and
well-drained soil, but they do not need pollinators. Most varieties are self-pollinating,
so you can get away with growing just one tree.
Fertilizing apricots is not always necessary. If you see
adequate growth in your tree, you may not need to feed it. Good growth is 10 to
20 inches (25 to 50 cm.) on new growth for young trees and 8 to 10 inches (20
to 25 cm.) for mature and older trees each year.
When to Feed Apricot Trees
Do not fertilize your young apricot tree in its first year
or two. After that, when the tree has begun to bear fruit, you may use a nitrogen
fertilizer or one that is specific to stone fruit during the spring blooming
season. Avoid application of apricot fertilizer later than July.
How to Fertilize an Apricot Tree
Fruit trees are more likely to need nitrogen if they need
any feeding at all. This is usually the limiting factor in nutrients. In sandy
soil, apricots may become deficient in zinc and potassium. It’s not a bad
idea to test
your soil before fertilizing. This will give you a better idea of what your
soil and tree actually need. Contact your local
extension office for a soil analysis.
If you do need to feed your trees, apply about one half to one cup (118 to 236 ml.) of fertilizer for young trees and one to two cups for mature trees. Also, check the application instructions for the specific fertilizer you are using.
Apply the fertilizer along the dripline and water it
immediately into the soil to avoid nutrient loss. The dripline is the circle
around a tree under the tips of branches. This is where rain drips down to the
ground and where the tree will best absorb the nutrients applied.