Sweet apricots are a real treat, especially in summer. We will show you how easy it is to plant your own apricot tree in just a few steps.

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) was already known in Armenia in ancient times, hence the appropriate botanical name. In the Bavarian-Austrian language area it is also called "Marille". Today, the popular stone fruit is mainly grown in Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Spain. If you don't want to do without the sweet, yellow-orange fruits in summer, you can also plant an apricot tree in your own garden.

There are a few important things to consider when planting fruit trees. For example, the right plant material and suitable site conditions are of great importance for successful growth. Below we give you a step-by-step guide on how best to proceed when planting an apricot tree.

Buy an apricot tree: in pots or in balls?

Before planting, you should ask nurseries about their experience with the desired variety and check whether it is adapted to the site conditions in your garden. Most of these fruit trees are sold in bales or in containers.
The difference lies in the way they are cultivated. Baled goods are on the field and are only cut out with a ball of earth and packed before the order is placed. As a rule, these trees grow well, since only a small part of the root mass is lost during transplanting. However, most nurseries only offer bales in early spring or autumn. In contrast, container goods are available all year round. The plants are grown in a container (or tub) in which they are then sold. As a result, no root mass is lost through digging and the plant develops very well in the first year since it does not have to expend any energy to regrow the lost root mass.

The trees can be bought in bales or in containers

Tip from the professional: The root wrapping of balled goods, the so-called ball cloth, protects the plant from drying out. Should firstplanted later, you can open the packaging, moisten the roots and reseal the packaging tightly against the trunk. This way the tree can be stored undamaged in a protected, cool place for a few days.

When to plant the apricot tree?

It is best to plant apricot trees in autumn (October/November). This allows the roots to develop and spread over the winter. Alternatively, it can also be planted in spring (March/April) after the winter frost. At this time, the mostly cheaper bale goods are also available. When planting in spring, however, pay particular attention to ensuring that the young tree is sufficiently watered.

Tip from the professional: Apricot trees are also great for growing on espaliers on house walls. This protects them from frost in colder climates.

Even in autumn the apricot tree looks beautiful

How to plant an apricot tree

In the following section we will explain how best to proceed when planting an apricot tree.

Materials needed to plant the apricot tree

You need the following items for planting an apricot tree:

  • Spade, shovel, pickaxe
  • Support pole, binding material
  • Hammer, Secateurs
  • Planting soil, compost soil
  • trunk protection, coconut mat
Some materials are needed to plant an apricot tree in the garden

Choose a suitable location for the apricot tree

It is best to choose the right location right away, because the apricot tree does not tolerate transplanting later. The tree tolerates neither too dry nor too wet soil. Therefore, clay and loess soils with a high humus content are best suited. The ideal location for an apricot tree should be sunny, warm and sheltered from the wind. Adequate sun protection in spring also ensures that budding does not occur too early and that there is no frost damage to the flowers.

Dig planting hole for apricot tree

Once a suitable location has been found, the planting hole can be dug. Make sure there is sufficient distance to other trees so that the fully grown apricot trees still have enough space later. The planting hole should be dug about a third deeper than the root ball of the tree. Then loosen the soil at the bottom of the planting hole with a hoe twice as deep as the pot is high.

Apricot tree support postattach

If the soil has already been loosened, you can provide the planting hole with a support post. This should be about the same height as the trunk and should be hammered in on the west side if possible. This way the apricot tree will later be pushed away from the post by the wind and not against it.

When inserting the support stake, correct height and position is important

Prepare planting hole for apricot tree

So that the small apricot tree has sufficient nutrients right from the start, you can put some potting soil and compost in the planting hole. Mix the different layers well and, if necessary, work in a fertilizer with an organic long-term effect - such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer.

Preparing the apricot tree before planting

Before inserting container goods, you should carefully score the root ball all around with scissors and loosen it up a bit with your hands. This measure stimulates root branching. It is usually not necessary to cut back the roots of container goods. However, if the root ball is very dry, the young tree can be dipped in a bucket of water again before planting.

Plant apricot tree

Place the tree in the planting hole so that the grafting point protrudes at least 5 centimeters above ground level. Then fill the hole with the excavated earth again and carefully tread it down. Finally, the freshly planted tree should be well watered, because only mudding ensures that the soil settles well and encloses the roots.

The gaps around the inserted tree are carefully filled with soil

Now you can tie the tree to the support pole to protect it from strong winds. You should be careful not to attach the rope too tightly so that the tree does not suffer constrictions. Additional measures, such as installing a special protection against eating, protect the young tree from rodents. In turn, placing a coconut mat underneath ensures that the tree disc remains free of weeds and that there is no competition for nutrients between the herbs and the shallow-rooted apricot tree.

Summary: Planting an Apricot Tree

  • Best to plant in autumn (October/November)
  • Choose a warm, sheltered location
  • Dig the planting hole large and deep enough
  • Hit a support pole to protect against wind
  • Garden floor withImprove plant and compost soil
  • If necessary, incorporate some organic long-term fertilizer
  • Carve and loosen the root balls
  • Place tree and close planting hole with excavated soil
  • Apply lightly and sleep in
  • Tie the tree to the post, attach grazing protection and lay out the coconut mat
Caring for apricot tree after planting

To ensure that the young tree develops well, you should ensure that it has an adequate water supply, especially in the first few years. Annual fertilization with compost and organic slow-release fertilizers can also have a positive effect on growth and yield. For more detailed information on fertilizing fruit trees, see this article.

The young apricot trees need enough water to grow

Tip from the professional: Herbs that require little nutrients and water can be grown under young fruit trees without hesitation. For example, nasturtium can be used as a spice in the kitchen and at the same time protects the tree from pests.

In order to steer the growth of young apricot trees in the right direction, regular training pruning is also required after successful planting. See our feature article for more information on pruning apricot trees.

Category:

Fruit